Round 18 Preview – State League Men’s

With the competition gearing up to sprint to the finish line, every game is must win this weekend in the State League Men’s.

Wagga City Wanderers vs. St. George FA – Saturday 30 July, 3PM at O’Connor Park

St. George FA will be hoping to continue their rampant surge towards the Premiership this weekend, but will face a testing journey south to face the Wagga City Wanderers. 

St. George currently sit nine points ahead of second placed Hurstville FC (albeit, having played two more games) and have shown no signs of slowing down.

Last week the league leaders showed great resilience to fight back strongly against Gazy Auburn and claim all three important points. Midweek, they tore apart Prospect United 4-0 thanks to goals from Lawson, Armstrong and a brace from Messam. The score could have been higher, with St. George missing a penalty late on.

St. George coach Manny Spanoudakis admits that they weren’t at their best on Tuesday, despite the result.

“It wasn’t our most polished performance, but I’m happy to pick up another valuable three points. We now get ready for a massive game against Wagga on Saturday.”

There will undoubtedly be tired legs this Saturday, particularly after a long journey to Wagga. The Wanderers will feel confident of their ability to upset the applecart and test St. George’s defence.

They will be without Callum Dunbar, who has succumbed to injury; however, likely welcome the return of Antonio Vastano as well as the introduction of Carlos Alonso into the starting line up.

Coach Andrew Douglas admits, “This will be a very tough game for us… St. George are an extremely good side and their win ratios show that and that’s why they’re on top.”

“We will be hoping to replicate our second half from last week and push St. George for ninety minutes. They gave us a bit of a football lesson last time we played.”

Prospect United vs. Camden Tigers FC – Saturday 30 July, 5PM at William Lawson Park

In what should be an exciting, attacking game of football, Prospect United host the Camden Tigers FC at William Lawson Park.

Camden have been one of the league’s best sides in the last month, undefeated in five games. Last weekend they claimed a vitally important 1-0 victory over the Western Condors, which solidified their position in fifth while bringing them closer to Bankstown in fourth.

Prospect United haven’t had quite the same success this season, despite playing a sometimes extremely potent brand of football. Their squad is very young, and hasn’t enjoyed its fair share of fortune throughout the year.

Each week for Prospect has been about developing on the last performance, regardless of results and their position on the ladder.

Coach John Caruana says that his side feels capable of coming away with a win this Saturday, against a strong Camden outfit.

“Anything is possible… hopefully we get some luck and put our chances away while remaining solid at the back.”

Camden coach Dean Bradley says that he expects the game to be tough and Prospect to provide difficult resistance.

“Like every week, we want to stick to our process and plan and not worry about the opposition too much.”

“We are always confident, though also under no impression it will be a Saturday afternoon kick around.”

Nepean FC vs. Bankstown United FC – Saturday 30 July, 7PM at Cook Park

Nepean FC will feel quietly confident about their chances this weekend, against an out of form Bankstown United FC.

Bankstown still sit in fourth, as they have for most the season, but are in the middle of their worst patch of form all year. They have won only one of their last five outings, and now must turn things around to evade the Camden Tigers below them on the ladder.

Nepean’s Finals chances are still alive, but thinning by the hour. Coach Magdy Andrawes says that every game from here on in is “must win”.

“This is a very big game for us, an absolute must win. As is every game for us from now is.”

With so much on the line for both sides, it is likely that this game will see each team set up defensively and hope to capitalise on mistakes from the other. But if things are deadlocked come the second half, things may open up dramatically and plenty of excitement should follow.

SD Raiders FC vs. University of NSW – Saturday 30 July, 7PM at Ernie Smith Reserve

The SD Raiders FC claimed a vital win over Bankstown United in Round 17, but mustn’t take their foot off the accelerator against UNSW this Saturday.

The University of NSW finally broke a torrid string of form last weekend, smashing the Hurstville City Minotaurs 4-2. They will have a spring in their step against the Raiders, and be hoping for complacency from the home side.

Mark Symington continued his lethal form last weekend for Southern Districts, but their win did not come easy. It took a last minute strike to overcome Bankstown United and take away all three vital points.

Both the Raiders and UNSW have a tendency to feature in high scoring games, and this Saturday’s fixture will likely be no different.

Hurstville City Minotaurs vs. Hurstville FC – Sunday 31 July, 3PM at Heffron Park

The stakes are high for Hurstville FC in this weekend’s derby against the Hurstville City Minotaurs, for more than the usual reasons.

Both clubs are extremely proud of their badge and heritage, with the Derby typically an intense and physical affair with everything on the line.

Hurstville FC sit in second place, nine points below St. George – however, with two games in hand. A win this weekend is absolutely crucial, regardless of the opposition.

Despite being in quite a contrasting position on the ladder, the Minotaurs will relish the opportunity to ruin their rival’s Premiership chances this season. During a blue spell earlier in the month, they proved they have what it takes to beat anyone.

Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis acknowledges that this weekend’s game will be a very close encounter, perhaps determined by who has the most luck.

“After last week’s disappointing result, we need to get back on track. It won’t be an easy game; the lucky bounce may decide the winner.”

Western Condors FC vs. Gazy Auburn FC – Sunday 31 July, 3PM at Stanwell Oval

The Western Condors will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend, taking on last placed Gazy Auburn FC.

The Condors suffered an immensely disappointing defeat to the Camden Tigers last weekend, which saw them drop to sixth place.

It was an extremely tight clash, that the Condors will feel they could have won if luck had gone their way – particularly when it came to some refereeing decisions. They will look to take the positives out of that performance and amplify them against Gazy.

Gazy’s game against Nepean last weekend was the victim of rain, and they will be a bit rusty against the Condors. Coming away with a point will likely be seen as a good result for the away side. 

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