Round 4 Preview – State League Men’s

We have new leaders in the shape of Hurstville FC after they made it three straight last weekend, while Hurstville City Minotaurs dropped to third after they were leap frogged by Camden Tigers FC.

The new league leaders will take on second place this weekend in what is sure to be thriller!

There is only one other team that are undefeated, and that is Nepean FC who have big game against Hurstville City Minotaurs away this weekend. Elsewhere, Western Condors FC will be aiming to break their duck against an inform Bankstown United FC and Prospect United will be looking to make it back-to-back against FC Gazy Auburn.

However, as mentioned arguably the match of the round will take place at Seymour Shaw Stadium when Hurstville FC take on Camden Tigers FC.

Wagga City Wanderers vs University of NSW

After one week of football Wagga were flying high, since then, they have had two losses and slid down the league ladder. The same could be said for their opponents, UNSW FC, who started strongly but are still winless.

That makes this weekend’s fixture a huge one for both outfits, as three points is an absolute must. Wagga were beaten by a spot kick against the consistent Nepean FC, while UNSW showed plenty of fight once more in a 3-2 loss to Prospect United.

Victory won’t necessarily rocket either side up the table, however, a defeat could see them trapped permanently underneath it.

Bankstown United FC vs Western Condors FC

When it rains, it pours, cliché, but very appropriate when you look at the Condors early season form and their prospects heading into another difficult task against Bankstown.

Western Condors have conceded a total of 15 goals in three games and have scored just once. Compare that to Bankstown and gives you a good idea what you might see at Jensen Park on Saturday. United have conceded five and scored eight.

If the Condors claim victory this weekend they could potentially move up two places provided some other results go their way. While Bankstown will be looking to keep tabs on the leading pack, especially considering they front runners are playing each other.

Hurstville FC vs Camden Tigers

It doesn’t get much bigger at this stage of the season. Hurstville FC have been impeccable since the start, and much the same can be said about Camden Tigers FC who have been scoring goals for fun thus far.

Despite scoring 11 goals in three games, Camden had to show their sturdiness against a depleted Hurstville Minotaurs last weekend. They passed that test with flying colours. However, this weekend bodes another tough challenge for Dean Bradley’s side.

Hurstville have been the form team this season, and despite not scoring as many as their opponents they are yet to concede a goal. They will have the faith in their backline to get the job done, it is just a matter of whether their frontline can outdo Camden’s goal hungry pack.

Jack Bulic is expecting a big game and believes Hurstville FC are fully focussed.

“With both teams undefeated, we are expecting a real battle with the Tigers,” said Bulic.

“Camden’s strength is their physicality and if they are able to impose themselves they will be a difficult opponent to hold out.”

“The squad is fully focused and ready to put up another good performance.”

FC Gazy Auburn vs Prospect United

After having your first round of football washed out and then suffering defeat the following week, it could have easily caused some grim ripples to trickle through the Prospect United dressing room. However, with victory last weekend and an excellent opportunity on Sunday that story could look quite the opposite.

If Prospect were to take three points against a struggling FC Gazy they will dive right into the deep end at the top of the table, and as mentioned earlier there is no better weekend to take advantage than this one since the big boys are playing each other.

FC Gazy on other hand are in somewhat of a crisis. It is really make or break for them over the next few weeks. If they fail to score any points it will all but rule them out of a finals place.

Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Nepean FC 

For weeks, we have grown used to Hurstville beating teams convincingly, however, this weekend we will be looking to see how they bounce back after defeat and it couldn’t be any more of challenge since they are playing the dangerous Nepean FC.

Nepean have been almost flawless since starting their campaign in round two following a washed out opening weekend. They are just three points off the top with a game in hand, but this will be a big test for Magdy Andrawes side.

Hurstville City should remain confident despite their loss. They were a player less after a red card, and still managed to apply plenty of pressure on Camden Tigers last weekend. There is no doubt they have the ability, it’s whether they are up to it mentally.

-By Jake O’Brien