Round 17 Preview – State League Men’s

A wet week sees us slide into Round 17 of the State League Men’s, where a series of exciting fixtures could have significant impact on the league table.

University of NSW vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs – Saturday 23 July, 7:30PM at David Phillips Complex

Hurstville City will be looking to make it three on the trot this weekend, taking on the University of NSW at David Phillips Complex.

The Minotaurs have been enjoying a remarkable couple of weeks, which saw them break a long losing streak to beat Gazy Auburn and Bankstown United consecutively. They have found their shooting boots, scoring nine goals across those two fixtures.

Hurstville coach Peter Sarikakis says, “The boys are on a roll at the moment and feel they are good enough to get another win, even though I know no match is easy this year.”

UNSW showed strong fighting spirit last weekend against Wagga City, but ultimately fell 3-2. They will take plenty of positives into this Saturday, and likely even take inspiration from the Minotaurs’ recent resurgence.

Sarikakis is still confident of his team’s ability to overcome UNSW, adding with tongue in cheek, “Now my boys know the words of the team song, which they seem to enjoy singing after each win.”

Bankstown United FC vs. SD Raiders FC – Saturday 23 July, 7PM at Jensen Park

Bankstown United FC must recover from what has been a disappointing couple of weeks if they’re to overcome the SD Raiders FC this Saturday.

Bankstown put in what coach Petar Finka called their “worst performance of the season” last week, swept away 4-1 by the Hurstville City Minotaurs. Conceding four goals to one of the league’s lowest scoring sides does not bode well for their chances this weekend against the league’s highest scorers.

Southern Districts returned to their best last weekend against Gazy Auburn, claiming a convincing 3-0 victory. They will be very confident of their chances to pile on Bankstown’s misery, and extend their lead in third place.

Demonstrating outrageous consistency, star attackers Symington and Mclintock were again the danger men for the Raiders and will strongly test United’s back four.

Camden Tigers FC vs. Western Condors FC – Saturday 23 July, 7PM at Lynwood Park

In a mouth watering clash between fifth and sixth place, the Camden Tigers and Western Condors will face off in a fixture that could have massive ramifications.

Perhaps deceiving in its implication, both sides are coming off 0-0 draws in Round 16. However, with an important potential six point swing on the line, it is unlikely that this weekend’s fixture will end so conservatively.

Camden coach Dean Bradley says, “this is a very important game against a tough team.”

“Nothing really changes for us, we’re looking for improvement every week at training and look forward to putting in a great performance on the weekend.”

The player to watch for Camden will be striker Jayden Russell, who has been in fine goalscoring form this season – particularly in the last month. The Condors’ Mauricio Navarrete has been their game changer throughout the season.

Interestingly, both sides have very much contrasted each other in performances this season. Camden have scored freely, but have been far too leaky in defence. Meanwhile, the Condors have remarkably scored the least of any team in the competition (despite sitting in fifth), but have a remarkable defensive record. 

St. George FA vs. Prospect United – Saturday 23 July, 7PM at Peter Moore Field

St. George FA begin their sprint towards the finish line this weekend, hoping to win their third game within a week.

The league leaders overcame second placed Hurstville FC in a dominant performance last weekend, but showed signs of fatigue against Gazy Auburn on Tuesday night.

Against Gazy, St. George were losing 2-0 for most of the game – however, showing amazing (potentially Premiership winning) determination, they scored three goals in the final twenty minutes to come away with all three points. Napoli, Fsadni and Richardson found the back of the net.

Coach Manny Spanoudakis admits that St. George were sluggish against Gazy and looked tired from the game against Hurstville on Saturday.

“I’m very happy that the boys showed character, determination and belief – and worked their way back into the game after a terrible start.”

“We regroup now and focus on Prospect on Saturday night.”

Prospect have been in good form and will be looking to build upon previous performances in a difficult game against St. George.

Coach John Caruana says that his side is looking forward to the challenge, having played well last week.

“We are in a good space at the moment – we have no pressure on us and the kids feel that they are comfortable with the structures and understand the football we want.”

Gazy Auburn FC vs. Nepean FC – Sunday 24 July, 3PM at Progress Park

Gazy have had a tumultuous few weeks, with the highs of their shock win against Wagga, to the lows of consecutive defeats against Hurstville City and the Southern District Raiders. Then this Tuesday, they almost beat league leaders St. George FA – if not for a late collapse.

It is difficult to predict which Gazy will apparate this weekend against Nepean FC, but if they can pick up from the positives of their midweek performance against St. George then Nepean will be in for quite the challenge.

Nepean have also had an up-and-down month as they hold on, perhaps fleetingly, to their Finals aspirations.

Coach Magdy Andrawes says that his team will show complete respect to Gazy, noting that he expects a tough battle.

“For us there will not be many changes and we will concentrate our efforts into continuing to dominate the opposition to create good goal scoring opportunities.”

“I know our boys have learnt from the many missed opportunities from last week’s game against Camden, and will be looking forward to thundering the net with their strikes.”

Indeed, Nepean will have seen last week’s draw against Camden as two points lost. They will be desperate to come away with everything this Sunday.

Hurstville FC vs. Wagga City Wanderers – Sunday 24 July, 5PM at Seymour Shaw Stadium

Hurstville FC will want to bounce back positively from last week’s disappointing defeat to St. George, but will face stiff competition in the Wagga City Wanderers.

Hurstville coach Alex Prophet says, “The boys will be ready after last week – a few little changes and our new signings are ready to go, so we look forward to pushing forward now.”

Wagga City Wanderers coach Andrew Douglas acknowledges that Hurstville will be wounded, but doesn’t think that changes anything when it comes to his side’s chances.

“Wounded or not, we would like to think we have a chance against them regardless. We will be keen to put up a good fight against Hurstville.”

“I felt we created good opportunities last time we played and hopefully we can put a couple away.”

Wagga will see the return of captain Sam Mangelsdorf, who missed last week’s game due to family commitments. Ally Mcleod will also be making his first appearance this season, after a long absence.

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