State League Two Round 22 Preview

Western Condors FC vs Luddenham United
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Knight Park Field No. 4
Western Condors welcome Luddenham United to their home turf on Sunday as both sides look to finish their season on a high.
Western Condors have played some entertaining football this season, with Carlos Enwiya enjoying much success in front of goal. Barry Zambrano has done well in his first season in charge at the club with a very youthful and exciting side at his disposal. Despite missing the finals series, Western Condors can take plenty of positives away from this season and could be a real force if they can keep the bulk of their squad together for next season.
Luddenham United will be disappointed to have missed out on finals football for the first time in two years due to inconsistent performances throughout the season. Luddenham United showed glimpses of the football they are capable of, but for whatever reason have struggled to gain any sort of momentum this season. With Luddenham Reserves finishing third this season, the club will have plenty of youth to add to blood in 2013.
Western Condors got the better of Luddenham United in a 3-2 victory back in June, but with no pressure on either side there should be plenty of goalmouth action with both sides keen to finish their season with three points next to their name.
League form last five games:
Western Condors FC: W-L-D-D-W
Luddenham United: W-D-D-L-L
FC Gazy vs West City FC
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Hartleys Oval      
FC Gazy play host to West City FC on Sunday as they look to avoid collecting a consecutive wooden spoon.
FC Gazy certainly haven?t been shy in front of goal this season, but it?s been down the other end where the flood gates have opened up on a number of occasions which has caused problems. A new coach mid-way through the season along with a handful of new faces hasn?t done much to help revive the misfiring club, but with one last game to go – FC Gazy will be hopeful of upsetting West City in an attempt to avoid finishing bottom.
West City were billed as being a dark house before the League Two season kick-off and have fallen just short of booking a finals berth. West City have seen their squad dynamics change quite dramatically since the start of the year and with Peter Daglis coming into the frame late in the piece, it is safe to say the Plumpton based club has struggled to field the same eleven each week. Despite West City not featuring in the finals this year, the future does look bright for the Chopin Park club.
West City ran out 2-0 winners back in round 11 action and it looks to be another tight tussle for the points on offer.
League form last five games:
FC Gazy: L-D-L-L-D
West City FC: L-W-L-W-D
Mountains United vs Bathurst 75?
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Summerhayes Park
Match of the round this week sees Mountains United and Bathurst 75? lock horns on Sunday with Bathurst?s finals hopes on the line.
Mountains United have lost their last three games which has seen them drop back to fourth position. Mountains United will be hopeful of snapping their losing streak to give them a timely boost for the finals series, but it won?t be easy against stiff opposition in Bathurst 75?, who themselves haven?t tasted defeat in over a month.
Bathurst 75? on the other hand have shown plenty of heart to get back amongst the finals contenders after stretching their unbeaten run to five games. Bathurst 75? failed to take advantage of Hurstville?s slip up last round and will need to win their two remaining fixtures against Belmore (on Friday) and Mountains this Sunday if they want to be certain of booking their place in the finals series.
Mountains United pipped Bathurst 75? 2-1 back in June and this contest looks to be another close battle with a home semi final on the line.
League form last five games:
Mountains United: W-D-L-L-L
Bathurst 75: W-W-W-W-D
Hawkesbury City SC vs Prospect United  
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Bensons Lane Field
Hawkesbury City welcomes Prospect United to Benson Lane on Sunday in a finals series preview with both sides having finished in the top three.
Hawkesbury City did the unthinkable by defeating the previously undefeated Hakoah 1-0 on the weekend. The win will boost the Hawks confidence leading into the finals but they will be weary of the task in front of them this week.
Prospect United accounted for Mountains United 3-0 last round while repeating the feat on Tuesday night with a 3-0 win over Nepean. The win sees Prospect tuck in under Hawkesbury on the ladder by just the one point, adding further weight to this meeting.
Back in round 11, a Zac Watters hat-trick saw the Hawks sweep past Prospect 3-1 but with both sides coming off the back of consecutive wins you can expect a close contest with second spot up for grabs.
League form last five games:
Hawkesbury City SC: L-W-D-W-W
Prospect United: L-L-W-W-W
Belmore United vs Hakoah
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Blick Oval
Belmore United welcome league champions Hakoah to Blick Oval on Sunday afternoon for what looms as an entertaining clash.
Belmore return home for their last fixture of the season with nothing to lose against the champions. Belmore haven?t enjoyed as much success as they would have liked this season, but despite their lowly position, Belmore have renewed confidence after picking up a handy 7 points over the last three weeks.
Hakoah came unstuck at the hands of Hawkesbury City by the solitary goal last round, which saw them taste defeat in League Two for the first time this season. It has been a stellar run of form by the league champions, and with the minor premiership all tied up a few weeks back Mark Robertson will shift his focus on getting Hakoah back amongst the winners list before they can enjoy a week off.
Hakoah ran out 7-0 winners the last time these two sides met, and even though Hakoah slipped up last week they still go into this one as warm favourites to end Belmore?s recent good run of form.
League form last five games:
Belmore United: L-L-W-D-W
Hakoah: W-D-W-W-L
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Nepean FC
Sunday, 19 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Hurstville City Minotaurs play host to Nepean FC on Sunday in a match that still has plenty of say in the makeup of the top five.
Hurstville City Minotaurs have somewhat hit a small rough patch after failing to secure a win in their last two games. Hurstville will know that a win here could ensure their passage into the finals if of course Bathurst fails to win both their remaining fixtures against Belmore and Mountains United.
Nepean FC has come off the boil in the last month after failing to register a single point in any of their last six games. Nepean also went down 3-0 to Prospect on Tuesday night which adds further importance on their match against the Minotaurs with Nepean just one point clear of FC Gazy.
Nepean sprung a huge upset back in June by defeating Hurstville 5-0 and you can bet the Minotaurs will be hoping to exact revenge on their home soil as the two clubs meet once again.
League form last five games:
Hurstville City Minotaurs: D-W-W-L-D
Nepean FC: L-L-L-L-L
Rescheduled Fixture
Bathurst 75? vs Belmore United
Friday, 17 August 2012 @ 8-00pm at Alec Lamberton Field
Bathurst 75? play host to Belmore United at Alec Lamberton Field on Friday night in their round 13 rescheduled match.
Bathurst 75? could surpass Hurstville into fifth spot if they can manage the three points against Belmore on home soil.
Belmore United on the other hand will be hoping to avoid the wooden spoon at all costs, and a win or a draw here will put less pressure on their meeting with Hakoah on Sunday.
Bathurst 75? ran out 4-1 winners in March this year and based on form and what three points means at this point in the season, the home side will be favoured to collect the win.
-By Dean Southern