Round 7 Preview – State League Men’s
With three teams equal on points atop the table and a strong chasing pack below them, Round 7 of State League Men’s will be intense.
University of NSW vs. SD Raiders FC – Saturday 14 May, 3PM at David Phillips Complex
Life has not been easy this season for the University of NSW, and Round 7 doesn’t promise any relief – matching them against league leaders Southern Districts Raiders.
After a slow start to the season, the Raiders have embarked on a seemingly unstoppable run; winning their last four games in a row with a goal difference of +18, scoring an average of six times per game.
Last week the Raiders comfortably dispatched a very strong Bankstown United squad, and will be more than confident of their ability to defeat last placed UNSW.
With McClintock and Symington scoring for fun up front, this game could be a bloodbath. Nevertheless, the Lions have home field advantage and proved in Round 5 that they can beat anyone, hammering the Wagga City Wanderers.
Coach Andrew Field points out that even against the Minotaurs last weekend, his side dominated in terms of chances created. Their struggle remains converting in the final third, where Field believes his side is attempting too many shots from outside of the box.
UNSW will look to frustrate the Raiders early on and play on their weight of expectation. If they can hold out for long enough, UNSW can rattle the visitors and take advantage.
Field acknowledges the challenge of UNSW’s rebuilding process this season, having lost the majority of the squad over the break. He is nevertheless pleased with the club’s youth development, with six 21 year olds in the first grade squad complemented by a strong U20s side.
While he has plenty of optimism about the future, this weekend’s fixture will be “very difficult”. Field points out that the Raiders comfortably beat them in the FFA Cup earlier in the year with their direct style of football.
Camden Tigers FC vs. Prospect United – Saturday 14 May, 3PM at Australian Access Hire Stadium
Camden have had a solid start to the season, but won’t be looking to rest on their laurels this weekend. Having drawn against the Condors in Round 6, the home side will determined to step up their performances and claim all three points against Prospect.
Prospect will be disheartened by their inconsistent start to the season, where they have played decent football but struggled to make anything out of it.
Coach Brian Vella acknowledges what is always a hard game away to Camden, asserting, “we just need to continue to play positive football like we have all year and hopefully put our chances away.”
“I have every belief in our team and hopefully we will turn the corner this weekend.”
The Tigers would like nothing more than to punish Vella’s optimism in front of friends and family. A three point haul could potentially propel them above Wagga City and the Western Condors.
Bankstown United vs. Nepean FC – Saturday 14 May, 7PM at Jensen Park
Bankstown United suffered their first taste of defeat in Men’s State League last weekend and will be fired up to bounce back in the best way possible on Saturday night.
The league newcomers have made a name for themselves with their extremely difficult to break down defence, but will be disappointed to have conceded five goals against the Raiders in Round 6.
Although breaking down in the second period, Bankstown were still highly competitive in the first half and will take some positives out of the performance.
Coach Petar Finka says, “this weekend it’s about getting back up after last week’s loss.”
“Consistency throughout the whole ninety minutes is also something we have discussed this week.”
Nepean FC will be heartbroken after their loss to Gazy Auburn last weekend, in a fixture that they were desperate to win. With scores level at 2-2 at half time, the game was anyone’s for the taking; Nepean let the opportunity slip.
Both teams are wounded and, regardless of their positions on the table, anything could happen this Saturday at Jensen Park. Bankstown will nevertheless be strong favourites.
St. George FA vs. Wagga City Wanderers – Saturday 14 May, 7PM at Peter Moore Field
St. George returned to winning ways last weekend, but continue to struggle with squad depth as injuries and fatigue take their toll.
Coach Manny Spanoudakis says, “I think we are struggling with the fluency of our playing style because of injuries and the fact that we can’t play the same starting eleven two weeks in a row.”
“That said, we are presenting many opportunities to young players to play senior football and are assisting the development of their game as a consequence.”
Spanoudakis is wary of the visiting Wanderers, but is confident if his side can replicate their disciplined performance from Round 6.
“Wagga will be a very tough test and hopefully the eleven we put on the park will show the same character and determination as they did last week.”
The Wanderers’ form this season has been the very definition of “up and down”; having won their first three games, Wagga then lost their next three games.
Critics will point out that their three victories came against teams in the bottom half of the table, while they have lost every game against top half teams. The Wanderers will see this weekend as a perfect opportunity to break this pattern, against a stretched St. George outfit.
The Wanderers will be heartened by the return of a few players from injury and their main focus will be on strengthening their defending, which has undoubtedly been the team’s downfall over the past few rounds.
Gazy Auburn FC vs. Western Condors FC – Sunday 15 May, 3PM at Progress Park
Gazy Auburn will have a spring in their step, having finally tasted victory for the first time since Round 1. Their win against Nepean FC was not pretty, but a long time coming seeing the attacking potential they’ve demonstrated all season.
Gazy’s defence remains an issue that the Western Condors will be looking to exploit this Sunday at Progress Park. The Condors, however, were unable to find the back of the net last weekend and Auburn will be confident that they can outscore them as they did Nepean.
A win could see Gazy rise to as high as fifth or sixth on the ladder (with some luck from other results), while the Condors could remarkably move into the top four. Both teams have plenty to play for.
Hurstville FC vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Sunday 15 May, 5PM at Seymour Shaw Stadium
The Hurstville derby could not have come at a better time, with both clubs confident and backing up from wins last weekend.
Hurstville FC have been playing some impressive football this season and will be strong favourites, the only undefeated team in the competition.
Coach Alex Prophet thinks that there is still a lot of work to do, asserting, “as a group we still need to improve on our consistency.”
“The Minotaurs will be a tough hit out and we will have to be prepared properly.”
Hurstville City have had an underwhelming start to the season, but will be delighted to have won their second game of the year last weekend.
Coach Peter Sarikakis believes his team will have to improve their finishing if they’re to get anything out of the game on Sunday.
“My boys need to take their chances. Especially the penalties, as so far we have missed seven out of seven penalties.”
He added, tongue in cheek, “The next one I will take myself, from the bench.”
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
