State League Two Round 6 Preview
Hawkesbury City SC vs Nepean FC
Saturday, 28 April 2012 @ 7-00pm at Bensons Lane Field
Hawkesbury City plays host to neighbours Nepean FC at Bensons Lane for a local Saturday night derby in a crucial match for both sides.
The Hawks momentum was put on hold in Round 5 as they were forced into a week?s lay off due to the heavy down pour that hit Hawkesbury late last week. The Hawks have adapted well under Berternshaw as they look to heap further misery on a winless Nepean outfit at their home ground.
Nepean FC have had an indifferent start to the season and will be in search for game time more than anything else, due to their sizeable back-log of catch-up games starting to visibly mount.
Hawkesbury City ran out 4-0 winners at Benson Lane last season while also grabbing an important 2-1 away win at Cook Park to do the double over their rivals. With very little football under their belt, Nepean faces another difficult task against a formidable Hawks outfit.
Mountains United vs Belmore United
Saturday, 28 April 2012 @ 7-00pm at Summerhayes Park
Mountains United welcomes Prospect United to Summerhayes Park for a Saturday night kick-off.
Mountains United like many of their League Two counterparts, will be itching to get out on the park after another unfortunate week of rain that has thrown plans out the window. Warwick-Day will be hoping his side can get out on Summerhayes for the first time this season as they continue their climb up the ladder.
Belmore currently sit on one win out of four and will be looking to upset Mountains United this weekend despite their shaky away form. On the plus side, Belmore haven?t had any trouble scoring but will be up against it as they face a Mountains side with the second best defensive record in the league.
This fixture in 2011 finished all square while Mountains United were too good running out 3-2 winners at Blick Oval. Based on 2012 form alone, Mountains United are favourites to get up at home.
Bathurst 75 vs Prospect United
Saturday, 28 April 2012 @ 7-00pm at Alec Lamberton Field
Bathurst returns to their trusty headquarters as they look to bounce back against Prospect after going down 7-0 to a relentless Hakoah side in Round 5.
Bathurst would have had plenty of time to reflect on what went wrong on their long trip home from Hensley Athletic Field last Saturday night and will no doubt be keen to put it behind them. It?s no secret Bathurst is a much stronger opponent on their home turf, so expect an improved displayed from the men out West this Saturday as James Christie looks to get back on the score sheet.
Prospect have had an interrupted start to the season and currently sit mid table with a few catch up games under their sleeve. Bathurst is never an easy place to pick up points and Prospect will be weary as they could face a possible Bathurst 75 backlash.
Neither side could be separated in a 1-1 draw at Bathurst last season. As both sides search to snap their form slumps, a desperate battle for all 3 points is sure to be on the cards.
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Luddenham United
Sunday, 29 April 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Be prepared for plenty of action as Hurstville City entertains Luddenham United at Punchbowl Oval for a Sunday afternoon kick-off.
Hurstville City would be disappointed their early season momentum was halted after their game was called off in Round 5. The Minotaurs currently sit on a two game winning streak and will look to continue where they left off against an unpredictable Luddenham outfit.
Montgomery will feel hard done by after going down 2-1 at home to West City in Round 5 and now faces Hurstville with a depleted backline after losing JP Vella and Dino Imamovic to suspension. The biggest concern for Luddenham this year is their inability to convert their chances and they will have to be at their best if they are to get anything out of this game.
Battles between Hurstville and Luddenham never seem to disappoint and in the same fixture last year, it was a goal-a-thon as ?The General?s? Hurstville ran out 6-3 winners, however Luddenham did earn some reprieve with a 3-1 home win. This game could go either way but expect fireworks and goals at Punchbowl Oval this Sunday.
West City FC vs Hakoah
Sunday, 29 April 2012 @ 3-00pm at Chopin Park
West City returns to Chopin Park as they play host to League Two leaders Hakoah on Sunday afternoon.
Hakoah flexed their muscles in Round 5 with a resounding 7-0 drubbing over previous league high flyers Bathurst 75 to send an ominous warning that they mean business in 2012. Hakoah remain the only undefeated side and have already set up a three point buffer on top of the ladder. Justin Kosmina has been in great goal scoring form, scoring a brace against Bathurst while Perth recruit Jamie Watt scored his first goal of the campaign.
West City stuck to their game plan to overcome Luddenham last round and after starting the new campaign slow, it seems the players are starting to respond under new head coach Danny Abboud. West City?s defence was resolute against Luddenham and Peter Akers and co will have to be at their best if they are to overcome a rampaging Hakoah outfit.
In the same fixture last season, the score was tied up 2-2 but Hakoah dominated at Hensley Athletic Field, brushing aside West City 4-1. Both sides picked up solid wins last week but it is hard to see Hakoah losing after they knocked seven goals past Bathurst 75 last week.
FC Gazy vs Western Condors FC
Sunday, 29 April 2012 @ 3-00pm at Cherrybrook Park
FC Gazy will try to ignite their season as they play host to fellow League Two strugglers Western Condors FC on Sunday afternoon.
As previously mentioned in the Round 5 preview, FC Gazy have not had the best start to the new campaign as they currently prop up the league. With another rained out match added to their tally, FC Gazy will be looking forward to getting out on the park in search of their first win of the season.
Western Condors are another club lacking precious game time and will fancy their chances of a win against bottom placed FC Gazy. Western Condors coach, Barry Zambrano has faced much interruption in his first year in charge and will no doubt be in search for that elusive win to get their season back on track.
Both sides shared the spoils over both 2011 meetings and it looks as though this one could be another tight tussle.
Waratah Cup Round 2 Fixtures
Tuesday 24th April
Nepean FC (SL2) v West City FC (SL2) 7:30pm Cook Park (St Marys)
An all League Two affair is set for Tuesday night as Nepean take on West City, where the winner will book their place in Round 3 of Waratah Cup.
Prospect United overcome Waverly Old Boys to book their place in the Waratah Cup Round 3.
-By Dean Southern
