Round 22 Preview – State League Men’s

Regardless of their journey this season, each club will be determined to finish strongly in the final round of State League Men’s.

Wagga City Wanderers vs. Western Condors FC – Saturday 27 August, 3PM at Gissing Oval

Two teams who will be disappointed to have missed out on Finals football will be looking to finish their seasons on a high this Saturday.

Wagga City started the year in red-hot form, but with a difficult travelling schedule and a thinning squad, have slumped to an underwhelming finish.

They will see this week’s game at home as a great opportunity to end things on a positive note, as they look forward to next season.

Coach Andrew Douglas says, “We will be looking to go out strong this weekend and finish the season on a high.”

“The boys will be keen to finish it off and gain maximum points.”

The Western Condors looked set for Finals football midway through the season, but endured an inconsistent second half. A trip down to Wagga, with nothing but pride on the line, will not be the most motivating experience for the squad.

Nevertheless, they are undefeated in their past three fixtures and last weekend claimed an impressive point against second placed Hurstville FC. If they can replicate this performance against Wagga, the Condors will be confident of returning home with bragging rights.

SD Raiders FC vs. St. George FA – Saturday 27 August, 7PM at Ernie Smith Reserve

SD Raiders FC will be hoping to take advantage of a jubilant St. George FA this weekend, as they target a second place finish.

St. George claimed the Premiership last weekend, and have little to play for bar momentum this Saturday. Momentum can’t be understated however, and coach Manny Spanoudakis says that although some players will be rested, the team will still be focused on winning.

“There are three or four boys who have been nursing injuries for a few weeks now, so we may rest them and give some youngsters a go.”

“However we will not be taking this lightly even though we have secured the Premiership… we play with pride and always try to win.”

Last week, St. George were unstoppable in a 12-0 routing of Gazy Auburn FC. The Raiders were tested by an inform Hurstville City Minotaurs, and could only manage a 1-1 draw.

Some will see this fixture as a potential Grand Final precursor, between the league’s best performers (St. George) and the league’s highest goal scorers (SD Raiders FC).

Camden Tigers FC vs. University of NSW – Sunday 28 August, 3PM at Australian Access Hire Stadium

Camden will look to win convincingly this Sunday against the University of NSW, with Finals football looming on the horizon.

Camden have had an impressive second half of the season, but suffered their first loss in a long time against Bankstown United in Round 21.

They quickly jumped back with a victory against Wagga in a catchup game two days later, and will be looking to establish a return to form on Sunday.

Coach Dean Bradley says that all grades will be determined to make the most of the weekend, in front of friends and family.

“We will be doing all we can to win all grades at our home ground, to give our supporters a nice afternoon.”

“We will rotate some lads around to manage some of our injuries… we will give chances to some of our guys in different positions as UNSW will be tough for us across the whole club.”

A win for Camden could see them finish in fourth place, which would be a remarkable achievement for the squad considering their slow start to the year.

Hurstville City Minotaurs vs. Nepean FC – Sunday 28 August, 3PM at ES Marks Field

Despite neither team qualifying for the Finals, this clash between Hurstville City and Nepean is deceptively one of the most interesting fixtures of the round.

Both sides have been in remarkable form in the past month, despite having too much work to do to make the top five.

Nepean FC have won their last four games in a row, without conceding a single goal; remarkable, for a team who won’t be playing in the Finals.

The Hurstville City Minotaurs are also undefeated in their past four games, including the scalping of eventual Premiers St. George and last week’s well deserved point against the SD Raiders.

Hurstville City coach Peter Sarikakis says that his boys are demanding nothing short of a win against Nepean.

“We are on a roll! Only the rain can stop us… how sweet it is!”

With a lot of pride on the line, but nothing to lose, Nepean and Hurstville will undoubtedly prove entertaining viewing this Sunday.

Gazy Auburn FC vs. Bankstown United FC – Sunday 28 August, 3PM at Progress Park

Bankstown United will have their minds set on Finals football this Sunday, but will expect nothing less than three points against last placed Gazy Auburn.

Bankstown coach Petar Finka says that he will rotate the squad to defend against potential injuries, with more important games impending.

“The objectives are to get through with no injuries and prepare for the Finals. We will be resting a couple of players and also use the opportunity to blood some younger players in the club.”

“But in saying all of that, we will not take the game lightly that’s for sure… there are three points up for grabs and we want them.”

Gazy Auburn have nothing to lose, and will feel like there will be a strong chance of complacency from the visitors. A win against a top four side would be a great way to top off a season filled otherwise with disappointment.

Prospect United vs. Hurstville FC – Sunday 28 August, 3PM at William Lawson Park

An in-form Prospect United will feel confident of their chances against Hurstville FC this Sunday, with the latter having little to play for.

Prospect have had a developmental season full of outrageous highs and lows, but have finally started harvesting results in August. They have won three games on the trot, scoring thirteen goals along the way.

Coach John Caruana says that this fixture will give them an opportunity to demonstrate the potential they failed to fully realise this season.

“The boys are feeling good as they have done well lately and really want to finish the season on a high and make a statement of what it could have been.”

Hurstville will be quietly disappointed at failing to win the Premiership this season, but have their sights set firmly on Finals football. Prospect will provide a strong challenge, as they prepare for higher stake games ahead.

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