Round 13 Preview – State League Men’s

It’s do or die time for many clubs this weekend, who will be looking to show serious signs of improvement in Round 13 of State League Men’s football.

Wagga City Wanderers vs. Camden Tigers FC – Saturday 25 June, 3PM at Gissing Oval

In the second installment of the ‘Hyundai Cup’, the Wagga City Wanderers will be looking to defeat Camden for the second time this season.

The Wanderers will be looking to back up last week’s win against Prospect United, but must improve on their performance if they’re to overcome a dangerous Camden Tigers outfit.

Against Prospect, they almost blew a two goal lead in the dying minutes – rescued by a penalty save from Liam Dedini in the final play of the game.

Wanderers coach Andrew Douglas was not happy with his team’s performance in Round 12, saying, “We need to get back to basics. Last week was an off game, especially considering the month we’ve had.”

Wagga will be welcoming back Caylum Barber from injury, however will be without captain Sam Mangelsdorf and Antonio Vastano due to suspension.

Douglas is expecting a very physical game, similar to their previous clash in Round 2.

“Both teams lean towards an attacking style of play, which should make for an entertaining game for the crowd.”

“My main message to the boys: we need to show maturity on the park, and have to close out the final fifteen minutes more strongly than last week.”

Douglas believes that goalkeeper Liam Dedini, midfielder Adrien Jolly and striker Scott Dunn have been the standout performers for the Wanderers in the first half of the season.

Camden suffered a disappointing defeat to Hurstville in Round 12, but pushed the joint league leaders to the very end. There were plenty of positives to take away from the performance, which showed they are capable of competing with the best.

The Tigers will be quietly confident of their chances this weekend, looking to disappoint what should be a strong home crowd in Wagga.

The ‘Hyundai Cup’ is an initiative between the two clubs, with money raised from the day donated to Children’s Wards in Camden and Wagga.

Prospect United vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Saturday 25 June, 5PM at William Lawson Park

Prospect United have had an incredibly unfortunate string of results over the past month, that would leave even the strongest of mentalities disheartened. They lost two games thanks to late goals against UNSW and Hurstville FC, despite leading at some point in both; then last week they were denied a point thanks to a penalty save in the last minute.

Coach John Caruana is positive, with everyone back from studies this week and ready to play.

“We just need a win to keep the belief. The attitude has been great but it won’t be easy against a tricky side.”

Caruana highlights the performances of Nick Valjak, Troy Sullivan and Joel Bayubahe as the most impressive so far this season, but laments that many of their best players have been pinched by clubs in higher divisions.

The Hurstville City Minotaurs did not play last weekend, with their game washed out. Perhaps a well needed break, allowing the team to regather their thoughts and motivation.

Coach Peter Sarikakis says, “This week we will again turn up to do our best and try to get some much needed points. It won’t be an easy game against Prospect.”

Nepean FC vs. St. George FA – Saturday 25 June, 7PM at Cook Park (St. Mary’s)

All eyes will be on Nepean FC, as they look to bounce back from their first loss under new coach Magdy Andrawes. They will have to overcome league leaders St. George FA, if they’re to do so.

Andrawes says that this weekend’s fixture will prove just what his team is really made of, and is looking for a positive response from his boys.

 “After a humbling last week against the SD Raiders FC, coming up against the league leaders in St. George – who boast the strongest defence in the league – will be our biggest test yet.”

“With a couple of missing starters, we will need to dig really deep and relish the challenge against this formidable squad.”

St. George coach Manny Spanoudakis is hoping his squad stays focused, and isn’t looking to do anything overly complicated this weekend.

“We will continue to focus on doing the basic things well and continue to work hard. No fancy formulas – hard work and doing this simple things well.”

“There will be a couple of changes again this week due to injuries from last week.”

Bankstown United FC vs. University of NSW – Saturday 25 June, 7PM at Jensen Park

Bankstown United have slipped away from the top three in the past month and need to step things up this weekend against a determined University of NSW.

United are without a win in their last three games, and now sit three points behind Southern Districts in third. Coach Petar Finka says that things need to improve across the squad.

“Myself and the players know that the past couple of weeks have not been good enough!”

“The squad is holding up but due to players unavailable through injury and suspension, we haven’t been able to put out the same lineup in the past couple of weeks. Saturday is no exception to that, but we are not using that as an excuse.”

Squad leader Steve Wright will be playing his last game for Bankstown this weekend, before heading overseas. Finka says that his performances have been the standout in the first half of the year.

“He’s a great player, leader and person. He’s someone that the younger kids at the club look up to and have been able to take note of. It’s been a pleasure to coach him this season.”

UNSW have enjoyed their best spell all season, undefeated in their last three outings. However, they’ve only managed a single win in this spell and will be looking to propel themselves up the ladder with a second on Saturday. 

They will be without Sean Miller, who has been in fine goalscoring form for the club this month.

Gazy Auburn FC vs. Hurstville FC – Sunday 26 June, 3PM at Progress Park

Gazy Auburn have started to find some sort of form during the last two rounds, in that they haven’t won but importantly haven’t lost. This weekend’s fixture against second placed Hurstville FC will be a true measure of how much they’ve improved.

Gazy demonstrated their potential moving forward last weekend, scoring three goals against the University of NSW. The previous round, they demonstrated their ability to defend – holding out Bankstown United. If they can combine these two elements, they will be a chance of an upset. 

Hurstville, it must be said, have not been playing at their best this month. Though winning their last two games, neither performances have been convincing and results could have gone either way. The game before that was their first loss of the season, against Nepean FC.

Neck and neck alongside St. George FA in the race for the Premiership, Hurstville know that they must begin to improve soon. A big win against Gazy Auburn would prove a huge momentum booster.

Western Condors FC vs. SD Raiders FC – Sunday 26 June, 3PM at Stanwell Oval

The Western Condors FC will be disappointed to have not played last weekend, with their game against the Hurstville City Minotaurs the victim of rain. With their momentum stalled, they now face an extremely tough challenge against the SD Raiders FC.

The Condors have made a name for themselves with their impressive economical defending, but will this weekend take on the league’s most potent attack.

The Raiders have scored an incredible 43 goals in their eleven games, and were in fine form last week against Nepean FC where they won 4-1.

They boast the competition’s highest goalscorer, Mitchell Mclintock (20), who will be looking to add to his tally.

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