All set for Greek derby

GREGOR MACTAGGART

April 23rd, 2010

THE Greek derby between Hellenic and Darwin Olympic is the highlight of this weekend's third round of Habitat Premier League action.

The traditional rivals will meet for the first time in season 2010 tomorrow night from 7pm at the Darwin Football Stadium.

Both sides have enjoyed enterprising starts to the new campaign with Hellenic unbeaten following a 1-1 draw with Casuarina and 4-0 demolition of Port Darwin.

Olympic opened the championship season by thumping Mindil FC 6-0, but stumbled in Round 2, losing 3-2 to Casuarina.

The Reds boast a strong recent Derby record with their only loss in the last four years coming in June last year.

Pedro Stefanidakis (Hellenic) and Mitch Amidy (Olympic) shape as their team's respective trump cards.

League leaders Nakara Azzurri-University Rangers can prove whether they are contenders or pretenders against Casuarina.

Wins over Palmerston and Mindil FC have catapulted the newly merged entity with a bullet to the top of the charts, but the reigning premier Rowdies are a different test.

The form of Robert Povey has been instrumental in Nakara's strong start, while Owen Linehan is chasing a goal for the third straight week, as too Casuarina skipper Scott Piper.

Kick-off is 5pm tomorrow.

Buoyed by its first win in more than a year, Palmerston face Port Darwin tonight from 8pm.

The Satellite City club has unearthed some future stars in Peranus Kum and Agus Magai, while the experience of Michael Prentice at the back has been important.

Port's chances of a swift return to the winner's list rests on the shoulders of skipper Dylan Dale.

Mindil FC and Darwin Dragons close out Round 3 on Sunday at4pm in what promises to be a keenly fought clash considering both sides haven't registered a point this season.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/04/23/142111_ntsport.html