Finals Series Round 3 Preview – State League Men’s

Premiers St. George FA take on the SD Raiders FC, in this Saturday’s State League Men’s Preliminary Final.

St. George FA vs. SD Raiders FC – Saturday 17 September, 6PM at Valentine Sports Park 2

St. George FA and the SD Raiders FC will lock horns this weekend, with the winner taking on Hurstville FC in this season’s Grand Final.

St. George FA will be looking to avenge last weekend’s disappointing collapse against Hurstville FC, where they took the lead twice but eventually lost on penalties.

The Premiers remain without star striker Sam Messam, who proved a difficult to handle alongside young attacking midfielder James Spanoudakis this season. His presence was sorely missed last weekend, with St. George’s attacking play not as coherent as usual and Spanoudakis isolated on the wing.

Coach Manny Spanoudakis laments the disjointed nature of his squad throughout this Finals series, with injuries taking their toll.

“The squad has been plagued with injuries from last week’s game, with four players in grave doubt and Sam Messam still unavailable.”

“We will look to supplement from the U20s and hope to not disrupt their quest to also make the Grand Final.”

Spanoudakis says that despite these difficulties, his squad remains in good spirits and confident of their ability to overcome a strong Raiders side.

“It’s not ideal, however the mood is still very positive… not much to change from last week, we should have been 3-0 up at half time however the missed chances came back to haunt us.”

The Raiders started slowly against Camden last Saturday, losing 2-1 at half time, but a rampant second half saw them score three goals to win.

Mitch McLintock scored twice, adding to an incredible tally of 35 goals this season – the highest in the league. The Raiders play quick, direct football which capitalises on the clinicality of McLintock and partner in crime, Mark Symington up front.

These two sides have met twice this year, with a win apiece. In Round 22, the Raiders emerged victorious 2-0 in what was effectively a dead rubber. Earlier in the season, St. George narrowly overcame them 2-1.

Captain Adrian Webster in midfield will be the key to St. George’s hopes, with his ball winning skills crucial in breaking up the Raiders attacking football. They will look to James Spanoudakis to provide creativity moving forward.

McLintock and Symington will be hoping to capitalise on a weakened St. George defence, while Nicolas Colantonio will also provide a strong goalscoring threat for the Raiders (having scored twice against Camden last weekend).

Fittingly for the occasion, this fixture sets the league’s best attack (the SD Raiders FC, with 82 goals) against the league’s best defence (St. George FA, conceding only 15) against each other.

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