State League Two Round 14 Preview
The tumultuous weather of 2012 continued its belt down on Sydney last week, allowing only half of the scheduled League Two matches to go ahead. With every side now facing at least one catch-up game, the additional workload will test the mettle of all sides as we move past the half way stage of the season.
Prospect United vs Luddenham United
Saturday, 23 June 2012 @ 5-00pm at William Lawson Reserve
Two sides that were lucky enough to get out on the pitch last week go head to head at William Lawson to get round 14 League Two action underway on Saturday evening.
Prospect United slipped up at home against a confident Western Condors side last round, which has seen them drop 8 points over their last three outings. Despite Prospect?s recent inconsistent results, they still have a good grip on 3rd place, although there are now a multitude of sides breathing closely down their neck.
Luddenham United under the new reign of Rick Muscat were beaten by the league leaders Hakoah 2-1 in round 13 at home. A loss to Hakoah is not something to dwell on too heavily though, and Luddenham will look to draw on the positives of their last two hit outs to muster up a challenge against a miss-firing Prospect United.
With a number of player movements between these clubs during the off-season, neither side will want to let up as they look to clinch bragging rights and the 3 important points that go with it.
League form last five games:
Prospect United: W-W-L-D-L
Luddenham United: D-D-L-W-L
Bathurst 75 vs Western Condors FC
Saturday, 23 June 2012 @ 7-00pm at Alec Lamberton Field
Bathurst 75? welcomes Western Condors FC to Alec Lamberton Field as two sides with contrasting form lock horns.
Bathurst 75?s home ground was deemed unplayable for the first time this season last round, and the boys in blue will be hoping this week?s sun can dry out the pitch as they go in search for a vital win ? after almost two months of football without a point to their name.
Western Condors FC have made winning look easy in recent weeks, racking up four wins in a row to now occupy 6th spot on the ladder. It?s been a far-cry from their early season results, and the likes of attacking weapons Alen Lajin and Carlos Enwiya along with improved team tactfulness that has seen the Condors firing at will of late.
Ironically, Bathurst 75? won their last league game back at the beginning of April 4-1 in front of their home fans against Western Condors. With both sides? seasons now taking rather different courses, the question remains whether or not Bathurst can find something special to get their season back on track.
League form last five games:
Bathurst 75: L-L-L-L-L
Western Condors FC: D-W-W-W-W
Mountains United vs FC Gazy
Saturday, 23 June 2012 @ 7-00pm at Summerhayes Park
Mountains United welcome FC Gazy to Summerhayes Park to round off the Saturday night clashes.
Mountains United season has somewhat come to a grinding halt, after seeing their last three matches rained out. With lack of game time in recent weeks, the side from Blue Mountains will be hoping more than anything to get out and dust the cobwebs off against a new look FC Gazy side.
FC Gazy looked strong against Nepean FC last round, but some defensive lapses cost them the 3 points under new head coach Andrew Montgomery. Recent recruit Huso Merdanovic looked dangerous in his first hit out in Gazy colours against Nepean and will look to link up with fellow front man Andreeh Khamo.
Mountains United easily accounted for FC Gazy back in round 3 with a 4-1 win, however a lot has changed since that result and it should be a much closer affair this time round.
League form last five games:
Mountains United: L-L-L-W-L
FC Gazy: L-L-W-L-D
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Hawkesbury City SC
Sunday, 24 June 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Hurstville City Minotaurs play host to high flyers Hawkesbury City to commence Sunday League Two fixtures.
Hurstville are another side that have tasted limited football over the last couple of weeks. The few weeks rest have been more of a blessing than a hindrance though, as the Minotaurs look to get back to their winning ways as they try to upset the Hawks.
Hawkesbury City was also affected by the downpour last week, and the Hawks would have used the time off wisely to ensure their stocks are properly replenished in time for this week?s clash against the Minotaurs. The Hawks have been devastating in front of goal this season with Zac Watters and Paul Cooper expected to lead from the front.
The Hawks came up trumps with a highly entertaining 4-3 victory the last time these sides met and this one is expected to provide similar entertainment on Minotaurs home soil.
League form last five games:
Hurstville City Minotaurs: W-L-L-D-L
Hawkesbury City SC: D-D-L-W-W
West City FC vs Belmore United
Sunday, 24 June 2012 @ 3-00pm at Chopin Park
West City FC returns to Chopin Park for their clash against Belmore United as they look set to continue their winning run.
West City is one of the in-form teams of League Two at present, most recently notching up back to back wins. The side from Chopin Park has managed to string a bunch of positive results together over the last month to sit neatly in the top five under the command of the experienced Danny Abboud, and will be keen to overturn their shock 4-1 loss to Belmore earlier in the year.
Belmore United have been quietly going about their business but their solitary win back in round 3 over West City still remains their only 3 pointer of the campaign. Belmore enjoyed a week?s rest last week and will look to hijack West City on Sunday away from home.
In a game where both sides sit at opposite ends of the table, West City will fancy their chances at home to undo the 4-1 defeat at the hands of Belmore earlier in the year.
League form last five games:
West City FC: W-D-D-W-W
Belmore United: L-L-D-L-D
Hakoah vs Nepean FC
Sunday, 24 June 2012 @ 7-00pm at Hensley Athletic Field
Undefeated league leaders Hakoah return to Hensley Athletic Field to face off against Nepean FC on Sunday night.
Hakoah sit 10 points clear at the top, and have a certain aura about them with no hint of slowing down. The league leaders have had a dream run this season, having not dropped a single point, and will look to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games as they face up against Nepean on home turf.
Nepean?s form has dipped in recent weeks, but the boys in red showed what they are made of against FC Gazy last round ? scoring two late goals to force a stalemate and a share of the spoils. Despite their lowly ladder position, Nepean do have the fourth best defensive record, and will no doubt put up a fight against Hakoah.
When both these sides met back in round 3, it was a close affair that was settled by a late Justin Kosmina winner ? but Hakoah have been relentless at ?fortress? Hensley Athletic Field this season and will be confident of doing the double over Nepean FC.
League form last five games:
Hakoah: W-W-W-W-W
Nepean FC: D-L-W-L-D
-By Dean Southern
