Round 5 Peview – State League Men’s
Round 5 of State League Men’s football will be massive, headlined by a top of the table clash between St. George FA and Hurstville FC.
University of NSW vs. Wagga City Wanderers – Saturday 30 April, 3PM at David Phillips Complex
The University of NSW will be happy to have had the week off, avoiding a difficult fixture against Hurstville FC. However, this weekend’s clash against Wagga City will be no easier – a huge challenge for the league’s worst performing side.
UNSW are three losses from three, but have had two weeks of training to address their goalscoring woes. Although Wagga City have been extremely successful so far this season, they have been equally leaky in defence. This resulted in their first loss of the season in Round 4, and the Lions will be determined to take advantage of the Wanderers’ defence.
Wagga City will be stinging after their loss against Bankstown United, however delighted with their dramatic extra-time victory against Hurstville in the FFA Cup on Monday. Nevertheless, they suffered numerous injuries against Hurstville City Minotaurs that will test their depth.
Prospect United vs. Western Condors FC – Saturday 30 April, 5PM at William Lawson Park
Prospect United performed admirably against a strong Nepean side in Round 4, but will be expecting nothing short of a win this weekend against the Western Condors.
Coach Brian Vella believes the game won’t be easy, but sees an opportunity to exploit a demoralised Condors outfit.
“They started the season well, but have had two losses on the trot.”
Vella believes the game should be exciting, as both sides play an attractive possession brand of football.
“It will be a good game, we just need to put our chances away and hopefully get the result.”
The Condors will also be looking for three points this weekend, as they hope to kick start their season. They showed much potential in their opening fixtures, but have trailed away recently. This match should be extremely even, coming down to who is more composed in front of goal.
Camden Tigers FC vs. Nepean FC – Saturday 30 April, 7PM at Australian Access Hire Stadium
The Camden Tigers were humbled in Round 4, demolished 7-1 by a rampant Southern Districts Raiders. They have no choice but to put that game behind them, and battle for points against a solid Nepean FC outfit.
Both Camden and Nepean have demonstrated their ability to challenge strongly this season, but neither have kicked on. They will see this weekend’s clash as a huge opportunity to show the competition what they are made of.
Nepean earned a deserved draw against Prospect United last weekend, but will feel they could have secured all three points with a bit more luck. A win this weekend could propel them into the top four, and give them a strong platform to build on in future rounds.
Bankstown United vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Saturday 30 April, 7PM at Jensen Park
Bankstown United were the talk of Round 4, becoming the first team this season to defeat the Wagga City Wanderers. They will be strong favourites heading into this weekend’s clash against Hurstville City, in perhaps their first fixture as strong favourites all season – a new pressure that will test their mentality.
The Hurstville City Minotaurs will be no pushovers, and delighted to have claimed their first win of the season against Gazy Auburn last weekend. They’ve demonstrated some exciting attacking prowess in the opening rounds of the year, but their finishing has oft let them down.
The Minotaurs will be without a range of important players this weekend, adding to the difficulty of their challenge.
Coach Peter Sarikakis is nevertheless confident in the ability of whoever is picked to play.
“Maybe luck may be kinder to us than the last couple of games. We are creating the goal scoring chances, so we will maintain the same formation and tactics.”
St. George FA vs. Hurstville FC – Saturday 30 April, 7PM at Peter Moore Field
In the biggest fixture of the Round, league leaders St. George FA will take on strong competitors and local rivals Hurstville FC. Both teams are undefeated and excited for what should be a massive occasion.
St. George FA moved to the top of the table in Round 4, but are not getting ahead of themselves. Coach Manny Spandoudakis asserts, “while we are happy to be sitting at the top of the table, and to be honest it is a pleasant surprise, we are not reading anything into it.”
“Our only focus is a very tough game against Hurstville on Saturday. Its nice to be playing a derby, as it gives the game a sense of anticipation.”
“They are an established team with quality across the park, so it will be a stern test for our boys.”
Coach Alex Prophet says that his boys are fired up, “St. George will be a good match, but we are ready to perform.”
“On the table we sit in a great spot, but as spoke about earlier, we need to improve and capitalise on our start.”
Gazy Auburn FC vs. SD Raiders FC – Sunday 1 May, 3PM at Progress Park
Gazy Auburn suffered another disappointing defeat in Round 4 and will be well up against the wall this Sunday, taking on a rampant Southern Districts.
Auburn became the first team to lose Hurstville City this season, in what was a grim match in the rain. They struggled to find cohesion moving forward, and lost the mental battle over the course of ninety minutes.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have scored thirteen goals in their last two games and are not showing any signs of slowing down this weekend. They will see Auburn as vulnerable prey, and confident of their ability to score in bucketloads.
Gazy will be hoping for complacency from the visitors, and prepared to punish them for it. They have enough firepower to win, with Yusuf Orfali and Gabriel Zihori particularly impressive, but must remain resilient defensively.
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
