Round 9 Preview – State League Men’s

The top four will be look to stretch away from the chasing pack this weekend, as the State League Men’s enters its ninth round.

University of NSW vs. Western Condors FC – Saturday 28 May, 3PM at David Phillips Complex

UNSW have had an up-and-down week, claiming a vital three points against Nepean FC on Saturday before being beaten by Hurstville on Tuesday in a catch up match.

This weekend’s clash against the Western Condors will be a test of their physical and mental stamina, with the Lions desperate for a victory to keep them in the thick of things.

A spokesperson for UNSW says the team will look at their next four games as “crucial to the outcome of the season, as they are all against teams around us in the table, before then having to play the top three”.

“The side again looked short of confidence after going behind, but if we can get a win against Western Condors at the weekend and start to build some momentum, then hopefully the side can start to show some of the form it’s capable of.”

The Condors are also backing up from a disappointing loss, where they were defeated 3-1 by a strong Bankstown United outfit. Nevertheless, they put up an extremely strong fight and will be more than confident of their ability to outdo UNSW.

The Condors have demonstrated one of the league’s best defensive units this season, and although broken last week, will be determined to keep a clean sheet this weekend.

Wagga City Wanderers vs. SD Raiders FC – Saturday 28 May, 3PM at Gissing Oval

Wagga City returned to winning ways in Round 8, but are still looking to prove that they can defeat a top half of the table side this weekend.

Southern Districts will be stinging after a narrow loss to Hurstville FC, in what was a very important top of the table clash. They will be raring to go, despite the long trip down to Gissing Oval.

Wanderers coach Andrew Douglas feels this game will be an extremely tough challenge for his boys, “Southern Districts have been playing some very good football and defensively we will have to be very sound, knowing they have a lot of firepower up front with the amount of goals they’ve put on opposition sides.”

Indeed, defence has been the issue for the Wanderers this season; while they have demonstrated plenty of attacking prowess, their back four has been extremely leaky. Even last week, they conceded two goals against the Minotaurs.

Douglas also recognised the added difficulty of taking on a wounded side, saying, “They will be as eager to rectify their close loss to Hurstville as we will be to continue our winning form.”

“The boys are keen to get a result against one of the top four teams, which we have been unsuccessful in doing this year.”

While the Raiders will enter this fixture as slight favourites, due to their impressive, direct attacking football, the Wanderers will be confident of their ability to pull off an upset in front of fans and family.

Hurstville FC vs. Nepean FC – Saturday 28 May, 3PM at Heffron Park (Synthetic)

Hurstville FC are sitting pretty at the top of the table, with three points on second place – they haven’t lost a game all season, and are taking on last placed Nepean FC. This fixture looks rather decided on paper.

Captain Andrew Harb and Henry Kamleitner have been particularly impressive for the home side, and are a difficult task to contain for any team.

Nevertheless, Hurstville will have to back up from a midweek game against the University of NSW. While spirits will be high, there is a chance that fatigue could set in. Whatever the case, it will be a gargantuan task for Nepean FC to overcome this weekend, away from home.

Interestingly, Nepean will be under the guidance of new coach Magdy Andrawes,who has been brought into the set the club back on track. The team may respond immediately, but will more likely take time to settle in to Andrawes system.

Bankstown United FC vs. Prospect United – Saturday 28 May, 7PM at Jensen Park

Bankstown United will be determined to solidify their position in the top three this weekend, but will face a tough challenge in Prospect United.

Bankstown may not have had as flashy a season as the likes of St. George, Hurstville and Southern Districts, but they continue to prove themselves one of the league’s most efficient and effective outfits – combining economical defending with well-structured football.

Prospect have had an up and down season, but showcased their ability last weekend against Gazy Auburn FC where they scored six goals and kept a clean sheet.

Bankstown will, however, provide a different kind of obstacle. Prospect coach Brian Vella recognised a “very tough game against an experienced, organised opponent.”

“The boys are looking to back up from last week’s performance and if we put in 100%, we have a chance.”

Bankstown coach Petar Finka is wary of Prospect, after their impressive performance last weekend. Finka says, “Prospect will be full of confidence so we are going to have to be on our game.”

“But being back home at Jensen Park, the squad is looking forward to the challenge.”

St. George FA vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Saturday 28 May, 7PM at Peter Moore Field

St. George continue to steamroll forward this season, and show no signs of slowing down as they take on local rivals Hurstville City this weekend.

Every week, coach Manny Spanoudakis laments his squad’s challenges with injuries – indeed, this week the team lost Jordan Janic for a month, while they continue to look for a goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, each week St. George continue to win impressively, drawing upon a talented range of youth players to backup for the first team.

Spanoudakis says that his team is looking forward to “another big derby against the Minotaurs, and another tough game”.

Hurstville City have endured a season full of heartbreak, exemplified perfectly in their Round 8 loss to Wagga where they gave up a two goal lead against ten men.

Coach Peter Sarikakis has an almighty challenge in maintaining squad morale, and acknowledges that on paper St. George “should be too strong for the struggling Minotaurs who are hurting with players, injuries and absentees”.

Nevertheless, Sarikakis asserted, “We will try to put eleven players on the park with the famous club spirit on the line.”

“Maybe I will try to park a double decker bus in front of our goal area." 

Gazy Auburn FC vs. Camden Tigers – Sunday 29 May, 3PM at Progress Park

Gazy Auburn and the Camden Tigers will be playing with nothing to lose this weekend, both backing up from resounding defeats.

Gazy had six goals put past them by a rampant Prospect United, which sees them rooted at second to bottom on the table. Camden conceded five against the high flying St. George FA.

Both losses were fairly representative of each side’s respective seasons. Gazy have been very poor defensively, while Camden have been painfully inconsistent – hot one week and cold the next.

Nevertheless, both sides will still desperately want to win this weekend. A win for Camden could take them into the top five, if other results go their way; while Auburn could leapfrog three teams into eighth.

-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter