Round 10 Review – State League Men’s
Torrential rain could not stop two State League Men’s fixtures from taking place, with Nepean FC and the SD Raiders FC claiming important wins.
Nepean FC vs. Wagga City Wanderers: 3-2
Nepean FC were brilliant hosts for the Wagga City Wanderers this weekend, battling through nightmarish weather to ensure the match day proceeded. They were rewarded for their efforts with a clean sweep of all grades.
Nepean have dramatically reshaped over the past month, with new recruits and a new coach. After a shock victory over Hurstville last weekend, they have continued their resurgence with a hard fought 3-2 win over Wagga.
All three of their goals came in the first half, and looked to replicate each other; crosses in from the right wing, finished with precision.
The first came by way of Sam Bingham fifteen minutes into the game, after a swiftly executed counter. Charles William then scored two quick fire goals to put the home side in command.
Wagga City fought back nobly, as they started to adjust to the wild conditions. Just before half time, Scott Dunn continued his impressive season with a deflected freekick finding the back of the net.
The second half saw both sides play extremely attacking football as the rain began to amplify. Wagga had their fair share of chances, but could only find one more goal. Adrien Jolly broke through the centre of midfield and played an incisive through ball to Dunn, who slotted home his second of the game.
In the end it was not enough, with Nepean holding on to their lead and returning to the warmth of the change rooms with all three points.
Wagga City coach Andrew Douglas believes the weather was hard to adjust to for his squad, “The ball was either holding up or sliding long. The boys need to learn to adapt their game to this.”
“The final two goals we conceded were due to thirty second lapses in decision making, which Nepean punished us for. Other than that, our defensive performance was quite good.”
“In the second half, both sides played very, very attacking football. We just couldn’t put our chances away, credit to Nepean – they held us out.”
Nepean now move one point behind the Wanderers on the table, although Wagga still have a game in hand.
SD Raiders FC vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs: 9-2
Moved to Valentine Sports Park, Southern Districts were able to host the Hurstville City Minotaurs in a game that was as high scoring as it was wet.
The Raiders dominated against a downtrodden Hurstville City outfit, and will be delighted to have won so convincingly in spite of the weather.
Mitch McClintock was the star of the show, with the difficult to contain striker scoring five goals. Mark Symington also had an impressive game, notching a brace. Danny Martinez and Damien Smith chipped in with a goal each, piling on the Minotaur’s misery.
The Raiders leapfrog Bankstown United into third place, and now sit three points behind St. George and Hurstville FC above them. They look to be regaining the devastating form that saw them dominate at the start of May.
The Minotaurs have now lost four games in a row, conceding 19 goals along the way. This weekend’s weather only fulfilled an old idiom for the Hurstville side – when it rains, it pours.
University of NSW vs. Prospect United – WASHED OUT
Camden Tigers FC vs. Bankstown United FC – WASHED OUT
Gazy Auburn FC vs. St. George FA – WASHED OUT
Western Condors FC vs. Hurstville FC – WASHED OUT
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
