Round 3 Preview – State League Men’s

Following the short intermission due to the Easter break, every team has now officially registered a result and it sees Hurstville City Minotaurs and Hurstville FC locked atop the league ladder after back-to-back victories. Will they continue that form in week three or will someone else step up?

There are a couple candidates that could move up the ladder. Nepean FC is one, following convincing victory last weekend in what was their first game of the season. Camden Tigers FC are also looking quite ferocious, and Bankstown United FC and Wagga City Wanderers are also close behind.

Fortunately, this weekend should answer a few of those conundrums, as Nepean take on Wagga away and Camden will face league leaders, Hurstville City. FC Gazy Auburn and Western Condors FC will be looking to get some points on the board as well when they meet Bankstown and Hurstville FC respectively.

UNSW FC vs Prospect United – David Phillips Complex, 3pm

Two teams we didn’t mention above, UNSW FC and Prospect have the honour of kicking this weekend’s action off, and given their individual circumstances it should be a tasty affair as both are in desperate need of three points.

The home-side, started strong against Camden only to be dismantled by Nepean, which left with just one point on the board despite scoring five goals in two games.

Prospect on the other hand were unfortunate to miss the opening round due to the weather, and desperately needed to get a result against Bankstown, but they were beaten heavily.

It’s early days, but given the competition has a shorter run time this season no one can afford to fall behind the pack early, which is what makes this matchup such a mouth-watering confrontation.

Wagga City Wanderers vs Nepean FC – Gissing Oval, 3pm

The Wanderers led the way after the first round but were brought back to reality when they faced Camden last weekend. Now they face Nepean who lived up to some of their pre-season hype and will prove to be a stern test for Wagga’s title credentials.

Nepean on the other hand will look to continue and demonstrate that they are the real deal. It’s always a tough game on the road against Wagga, but it’s also the perfect platform to build confidence and reputation.

However, as mentioned before, Wagga will be very hungry following their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Camden. Can they rekindle their first-round form, or could this be the start of a decline?

Camden Tigers vs Hurstville City Minotaurs – Ron Dine Reserve, 7pm

What a thriller we have on our hands at Ron Dine Reserve on Saturday. Both sides have score eight goals in two matches, and are clearly hungry for blood given their current stance on the competition ladder. It’s first versus third, there isn’t much more to say.

Camden were looking to improve their defence this season and after conceding four against UNSW in the opening week, they tightened the ship over the weekend and still managed to execute their attacking moves successfully. This weekend will be a bigger test, one we can learn a lot from.

Head coach, Dean Bradley, is very excited to take on the league leaders and see how Camden compare to the form team of the competition.

“The lads are pumped to be playing the competition leaders at our home ground. We are looking forward to a great game that we are preparing well, Clearly Hurstville are the form team so far,” said Bradley.

Hurstville City on the other hand, are in comparable situation. They tweaked quite a few things over the off season without swapping too much personnel, and the results have been near perfect since. Conceding just once, while scoring eight in two games is a daunting record and there is no doubt they will look to highlight why they are top of the table.

Despite their form and position, coach, Peter Sarikakas is remaining cautious of the deadly threat Camden pose, especially at home.

“I am very cautious. Playing Camden at their home is never easy. In saying that my team this year is a good side and we will chase the win – that will keep us on top of the ladder,” said Sarikakas.

FC Gazy Auburn vs Bankstown United FC – Progress Park, 3pm

After two losses, it’s already starting to look rather bleak for FC Gazy despite fighting hard against joint league leaders, Hurstville FC last weekend. However, Bankstown United are not going to be any easier of a task, and it’s starting to look like a make or break task for Gazy.

Bankstown United finally got three points on the board last weekend and come into this game full of confidence and looking to avoid the potential of banana skin. Claudio Canosa has got his side playing with plenty of attacking vigour, and they seem to have clear direction in how they want to play their football. That’s a dangerous attribute just three weeks into the season.

If Gazy can get three points it will give them a huge confidence boost and potentially springboard their season, however if Bankstown take the spoils it could the concrete could set on another long and frustrating campaign for FC.

Western Condors FC vs Hurstville FC – Stanwell Oval, 3pm

Closing out the weekend we have another David versus Goliath situation as the last placed Condors take on the second placed Hurstville FC. It job is clear for both sides. Three points is a must for two very different reasons.

Western Condors need to get off the bottom of the league ladder before the rest of the competition gets too many rungs ahead. Whereas, Hurstville, must continue to apply the pressure to the likes of the Minotaurs and Camden.

Hurstville have started slow in both matches this season, and will be looking to go into halftime somewhat comfortable this weekend. Condors however, will be looking to keep a clean sheet and score some goals of their own after conceding 10 goals in the opening two weeks.

-By Jake O’Brien