Round 6 Preview – State League Men’s
The State League Men’s is well and truly heating up, with Round 6 presenting us one exciting fixture after another.
Wagga City Wanderers vs. Hurstville FC – Saturday 7 May, 3PM at Gissing Oval
Wagga City’s honeymoon period is well and truly over, having now lost two games on the trot. Last weekend they were well and truly humbled by last placed University of NSW, face an even tougher opposition in Round 6.
Hurstville FC have established themselves as one of the competition’s best sides in the first month of State League Men’s, and are backing up after a huge victory over local rivals St. George FA.
The Wanderers will have to address their perennially leaky defence, because Hurstville will be well capable of punishing any loose play – having conceded as many goals as last placed Gazy Auburn FC.
Nevertheless, the home side have proven they have the firepower to beat anybody this season, with striker Scott Dunn the key to their attack.
Prospect United vs. St. George FA – Saturday 7 May, 5PM at William Lawson Park
Prospect have had a rough few weeks, and looked disheartened after their 2-0 loss to the Western Condors last weekend. Playing against third placed St. George FA may look an extremely daunting task, but the home side are well in with a chance.
St. George have been hammered by injury issues, and coach Manny Spanoudakis says that he isn’t sure what his team will look like on Saturday.
“On Tuesday evening we played the Bankstown Berries in the Westfield FFA Cup… we had a lot of injuries that will be four weeks.”
Daniel Mitwali, Bill Tsanidis, Sean Thomas, Sam Messam and goalkeeper James Spanoudakis are all out with injuries.
“Prospect is a good team and we will need to be at our best if we are to have any chance… the young boys will need to set up again.”
Prospect coach Brian Vella acknowledges how big a game this is for his team.
“All players need to do their jobs, and if this happens we will definitely get something from the game.”
“We played well last week, we just need some luck.”
Nepean FC vs. Gazy Auburn FC – Saturday 7 May, 7PM at Cook Park (St. Mary’s)
Nepean and Gazy Auburn have been far from their best all season, and languishing in the bottom half of the table. Both sides suffered thorough defeats in Round 5, each conceding six goals.
This weekend’s fixture will be a huge match, with both outfits desperate for something to kick start their season. Nepean have looked like real contenders many times this season, but have seriously lacked consistency. Auburn have demonstrated attacking prowess, but after their impressive victory in round one, have lost their next four games.
This is the sort of fixture that will be decided by the narrowest of margins, but could end up in a disappointing draw for both teams.
SD Raiders FC vs. Bankstown United – Saturday 7 May, 7PM at Ernie Smith Reserve
In undoubtedly the biggest fixture of the round, high flying Southern Districts will take on league leaders Bankstown United in what should be a thrilling encounter.
The Raiders started off slowly this season, but have recently gone on a seemingly unstoppable run – leaving only ruins in their wake. The Southern Districts side have won their last three games, scoring an incredible nineteen goals in the process.
Matthew McClintock has been the star player throughout this run, leading the league in goals with ten to his tally. Nevertheless, he will come up against a striker in equally impressive form – Thirty-two year old attacker Tom Markovski, who has scored five times in the past two games .
Bankstown have impressed everyone this season, and are sitting pretty atop the State League Men’s table. They remain undefeated after the opening five rounds, and have been extremely economical – not scoring rampantly, but keeping things very tight as a defensive unit.
Southern Districts are in a much richer vein of form however, and Bankstown looked less than convincing (though clinical) against the Minotaurs in Round 5.
The winner of this fixture will likely finish the round in first place, in a game where you should expect fireworks from both sides.
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs. University of NSW – Sunday 8 May, 3PM at ES Marks Field
Hurstville City will feel very unlucky to have lost to Bankstown United last weekend, in a match where they dominated but were unable to convert their chances. The Minotaurs will see this weekend’s home fixture as a must win encounter.
Coach Peter Sarikakis acknowledges the importance of home field advantage this weekend and says that his time “will try to win and begin our climb up the ladder to a position that suits the ability of our team.”
Cheekily, he adds, “Also maybe this Sunday the whistle will see the obvious penalties.”
The University of NSW shocked everyone but themselves in Round 5, where they convincingly defeated the Wagga City Wanderers to claim their first win of the season. After many weekends of frustration, the Lions will be greatly relieved to have finally found some goal scoring boots.
Having tasted victory, they will be extremely fired up this weekend and looking to show Hurstville no mercy. Sean Miller was key to their success against Wagga, clinical in front of goal, and will be determined to prove he isn’t a one hit wonder.
Western Condors FC vs. Camden Tigers FC – Sunday 8 May, 3PM at Stanwell Oval
A fixture that might fly under the radar this weekend, but promises to be one of the most interesting. Both the Condors and Tigers have shown signs that they can kick on this season, but are hovering below the top five.
Each side secured very important wins in Round 5 and will see this weekend as a chance to put their hand up as title contenders this season.
The Condors travelled away from home to beat Prospect United 2-0, in a comfortably executed performance. Camden smashed Nepean FC 6-1, with striker Jayden Russell scoring four goals.
This weekend’s clash could go either way, but promises high quality, tense and exciting football. Camden will look to score freely once more, while the Condors will look to keep things tight in defence.
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
