Round 15 Preview – State League Men’s

The State League Men’s is pushing towards the business end of the season, as we look forward to Round 15.

Nerves will begin to kick in, with many teams demanding nothing less than three points this weekend.

University of NSW vs. Hurstville FC – Saturday 9 July, 3PM at David Phillips Complex

Hurstville FC will not only be looking to win this weekend, but score plentifully as they fight on goal difference atop the table. Level on points with St. George, who beat UNSW 6-1 last weekend, Hurstville trail significantly in Goals For.

Coach Alex Prophet says that they can not afford to slip up, with four strong teams still pushing for the “big prize”.

“Things are going well but there is a long way to go, looking forward to Saturday.”

The University of NSW are likely building for next season, with this year’s Finals series seemingly out of reach. They’ve not had the best of results in the last month, but they’ve improved steadily and will see nothing better than a huge coup against the joint league leaders.

Last weekend’s 6-1 loss to St. George saw them concede an uncharacteristically high amount of goals, which they will see as a huge step back from their recent improvements. It will be about getting back to basics against Hurstville. 

Prospect United vs. Nepean FC – Saturday 9 July, 5PM at William Lawson Park

This should present one of the round’s more interesting fixtures, between two sides who have impressed over the past two months without necessarily getting results.

Prospect will have been extremely disappointed to have given away a lead against a nine men Southern Districts last weekend; a result which fairly appropriately characterises their season so far.

Coach John Caruana says that Prospect are looking to develop their squad, regardless of their results this season.

“The important thing is to continue to stay positive with still two months of football remaining, and continue to push the team forward.”

“You have seasons like this where things don’t go your way – it’s how the players develop and it also shows me the players that want to play for the jersey.”

Caruana acknowledges that Nepean have improved and will provide a test for Prospect’s young side to push themselves.

Nepean gave away a commanding lead against the Western Condors last weekend, lacking in concentration and conviction for the final half hour. This result will have been a wakeup call for Magdy Andrawes’ boys, and they will come out firing against Prospect.

Bankstown United FC vs. Wagga City Wanderers – Saturday 9 July, 7PM at Jensen Park

This weekend, Bankstown United will be looking to bounce back immediately from last week’s disappointing defeat to Hurstville FC.

With their Premiership hopes all but gone, Bankstown will be determined to build momentum into the Finals over the next two months.

The Wagga City Wanderers will be extremely concerned with their result last weekend, where they lost to Gazy Auburn FC. They will be fighting for their season against Bankstown on Saturday, and this clash could replicate the end-to-end game that manifested the last time these two sides faced off. 

The Wanderers will be without Kai Wilson and Scott Dunn, who were both sent off against Auburn. Top goalscorer Scott Dunn is a massive loss for the Wanderers, the primary source of their goals this season.

Coach Andrew Douglas says that his boys are excited by the challenge of a top four team, and confident of getting a result.

“We will welcome back Sam Mangelsdorf and Antonio Vastano from suspension. There will be a major focus on our discipline and getting back to basics, playing as a unit.”

St. George FA vs. Western Condors FC – Saturday 9 July, 7PM at Peter Moore Field

St. George cruised to victory last weekend against the University of NSW, but will face much more considerable challenge in the Western Condors on Saturday.

The Condors have been in good touch this season and sit in fifth place, narrowly behind Bankstown United. In Round 13 they edged out Nepean FC 4-3, with a dramatic second half comeback inspired by a hat trick from Mauricio Navarrete.

Against St. George, they can not afford to be as open in defence as they were last weekend; however, will take spirit from how impressive they have been in this area throughout the year.

Ahead of Hurstville only on goal difference, St. George will be feeling the pressure not to drop points this Saturday.

Coach Manny Spanoudakis says that his side will be unable to field the same eleven as last weekend, something they haven’t been able to do in consecutive weeks all season.

“Unfortunately we will be forced to make a couple of changes due to injury. It is very frustrating that we haven’t fielded the same eleven in back to back games.”

Regardless of the players used, Spanoudakis says his side will be sticking to their guns against the Condors.

“We’re not trying anything new – just repetition of the basics and making sure we do the little things very well.”

Camden Tigers FC vs. SD Raiders FC – Saturday 9 July, 7PM at Valentine Sports Park 2

The SD Raiders FC will look to continue pressuring Hurstville and St. George ahead of them, but can only do so with a win against Camden this weekend.

Camden kept their season hopes alive last Saturday with a confident 3-0 victory over the Hurstville City Minotaurs. They were clinical moving forward, but will be particularly happy with their defending – keeping only their second clean sheet of the season. 

The Raiders had to fight hard to beat Prospect United, after conceding a goal and having two players sent off in the first half. Star strikers Mclintock and Symington were their saviours, combining to score three goals in the second period.

Both sides will play quick, attacking football and look to take no prisoners; this game could be decided by which side remains the most disciplined defensively.

Gazy Auburn FC vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Sunday 10 July, 3PM at Progress Park

Gazy Auburn FC will be delighted with their upset victory over Wagga City in Round 13, and looking to distance themselves further from bottom spot on the table with a win against the Minotaurs.

The Minotaurs appear a relatively broken unit, and haven’t won a game since Round 6 in May. Auburn impressed everybody with their gutsy performance in Wagga and could dramatically jump above three teams with another win this weekend. 

Hurstville’s main struggle has been in scoring goals, despite having a relatively stable defensive record. They have missed many penalties and failed to convert a very high amount of clear cut opportunities throughout the year.

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