Mens State League Two Round 1 Finals Series Preview
This weekend’s Mens State League Two line-up has premiers Hurstville FC versus Southern Bulls in the major semifinal on Sunday afternoon and Prospect United against Rydalmere Lions in the knockout bout on Saturday evening, both games being held at William Lawson Park.
After a thrilling season-end it’s a brand new competition altogether as the remaining teams battle for this winter’s final trophies, and the mind games certainly emerged heading into this weekend’s big dance.
Hurstville coach Steve Zoric admitted as premiers they had to be favourites, but he kept a squinty gaze in Rydalmere’s direction. “I think we’re the team to beat. Our character’s proven it throughout a great year, the players are motivated, but I’ve got my eye on Lions as well – they’re a danger side.”
“Congratulations to Tony Basha and Rydalmere for winning the club championship, and I’ve got a lot of respect for Bulls and Prospect for what they’ve done this year – it will be close.”
Lions coach Tony Basha downplayed his side’s chances. “The best team is Prospect, they have the big game players; but it’s really a lottery from now on,” he said. “We’re just going to have some fun and whatever happens, happens. [After winning the club championship] This year’s finals series is just a bonus [for the club].”
Prospect coach Tony Caruso was just as diplomatic: “The teams to beat will be Rydalmere… Hurstville… and Bulls… … … what did you expect me to say,” he laughed.
And Bulls coach Ramsin Shamon added his ingredients to a bubbling cauldron. “If you talk about consistency over the year Hurstville have grounded out a lot of results and deserve to be up there, but why not us? Prospect’s the only top-four side we haven’t beaten this year, I feel we deserve to be in the final at least.”
The rest of the coaches were split between Hurstville and Rydalmere on who would take the trophy home.
Branch coach Brod Crighton was brutal in his assessment. “If Rydalmere don’t win the grand final they need shooting. [They are] By far the best footballing team in the league,” he said.
Enfield coach Andrew Montgomery agreed. “Rydalmere will win the grand final as they have the best coach in the league and play the best football,” he said, and added: “All the best for the four sides competing, they are definitely the best four in the comp.”
Condors coach Erick Anabalon and Uni coach Tom Belcher tipped the premiers. “I think grand final winners in first grade will be Hurstville FC, and I can’t look past the mighty UNSW for the 20s title against Rydalmere,” Belcher proclaimed.
Anabalon consented: “I think Hurstville will do the job. They have a strong squad and an intelligent, experienced coach,” he said. “I’m a little disappointed we weren’t in the top-four, however, I acknowledge those in there deserve to be. Congratulations to those clubs and see you all next season.”
Major semifinal – Hurstville FC versus Southern Bulls
What a match up between 2014 state league two premiers Hurstville FC and 2010 premiers Southern Bulls at William Lawson Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm kickoff).
The competition’s two most in-form sides go head-to-head for the fourth time this year for a grand final berth, Hurstville dropping just one of their past 10 matches (conceding just seven goals in the process) and Southern unbeaten in nine games (conceding six goals).
FC won a third-round Waratah Cup clash at Ernie Smith 3-1 and got up 1-0 in their round-nine clash against Bulls before Southern got their revenge with a late winner last week to win 2-1.
Hurstville finished six points clear of Bulls at the top but Southern boast a slightly better offensive and defensive record overall (scoring 32 and conceding a league-low 11 goals to Hurstville’s 30 scored and 13 conceded), the Bulls’ premiership hopes foiled by six winter draws.
Historically Hurstville have a slight edge winning five of the last nine meetings to Southern’s three (one draw), but there’s only been 23 goals scored in those contests (FC 12 and Bulls 11) to underline how tight it’s been between them – including five one-goal margins in their past six encounters.
Minor semifinal – Prospect United vs Rydalmere Lions
What a game of football we can expect when Prospect United play Rydalmere Lions in the knockout semifinal at William Lawson Park on Saturday evening (5pm kickoff).
United led the competition last time they met in round 14, Lions winning 3-1 at William Lawson Reserve after Prospect had dusted them 3-1 at Rydalmere earlier in the year – the first ever meeting between the clubs.
Rydalmere carries solid form into the match dropping just one of their last nine matches while Prospect have won once in six weeks to ruin a promising six-game winning streak.
William Lawson Park has proven a bit of a fortress for United who won all but two of their eight home fixtures, but Lions only lost one away game all year to be the league’s best travelers (20 points from nine outings) – not that home turf stood for much this year with game-day hosts winning just 26 of the 72 fixtures (36 per cent), their visitors winning 46 per cent of the time (13 draws).
Both sides have the arsenal, Lions scoring a league-high 36 goals (United next best with 33) and booting three goals or more in half their 16 runs, and both defences were solid (Rydalmere conceding 16 and Prospect 17) to indicate this will be tight.
Grade 20
Premiers Rydalmere Lions face Prospect United in this Sunday afternoon’s major semifinal at William Lawson Park (1pm kickoff). While Rydalmere cleared Prospect by 12 points on the table it was a lot closer than that during the season with a tense 0-0 draw at Rydalmere Park followed by an edgy 3-2 win to Lions at William Lawson Park.
Southern Bulls tackle University of NSW in the knockout semifinal at William Lawson Park on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm). Both sides enjoyed good seasons and will be optimistic of their chances after splitting this winter’s meetings, Uni winning 3-0 at Ernie Smith Reserve and Bulls getting their revenge with a 2-1 win at David Phillips Field.
-By Dan De Nardi
