Round 6 Preview – State League Men’s
With the league ladder beginning to take shape, each game is getting increasingly more important, and the battle between Bankstown United FC and Nepean FC will tell us plenty about their credentials as title contenders.
This weekend also gives another look at both Hurstville clubs, who set the pace in opening weeks, however, recently they have gone off the boil. The Minotaurs have good chance to get three points against a fragile Wagga City Wanderers, while Hurstville FC have a tough task versus University of NSW.
Finally, can Prospect United make it four straight wins or will they fall victim to Western Condors FC who recorded their first victory last weekend?
Bankstown United FC vs Nepean FC
Week after week the State League Men’s competition is giving us mouth-watering games. This weekend we have league leaders, Bankstown United FC taking on the undefeated Nepean FC.
Bankstown have certainly earned their place at the top of the league, having disposed of Camden Tigers FC 4-1 last weekend. As it stands, United have a two-point lead over Hurstville FC and the Tigers, however, with Nepean lurking four points behind and having a game in hand this match is of extreme importance.
Now after telling you that, you should understand that this match is of equal importance to Nepean. They were sluggish out of the gates last weekend following an FFA Cup fixture, but, they still managed to scrape together a 2-2 draw against Hurstville FC. Although, Nepean have remained undefeated they have only scored six times, which could be a slight issue, as Bankstown have bagged 18 goals.
The match of the round this weekend, and it will certainly have ramifications on the rest of the league.
FC Gazy Auburn vs Camden Tigers FC
FC Gazy Auburn are the only team in competition without a victory, and their climb to three points only gets steeper this weekend when they welcome Camden Tigers FC, who will be starving after failing to hold their place on the league’s throne.
It’s quite a grim picture for FC Gazy. They have conceded 14 goals in five matches, and have scored just six times. That second number is the one that has proved costly, because in most matches they have showed plenty of resilience defensively, but that doesn’t mean much if the goal scoring department is misfiring.
Missing goals is not something the Tigers have struggled with this season. They have bagged 15 already, but have copped an alarmingly high 13. Despite that, Camden are still one of the most lethal sides in the competition and considering the tough match Bankstown United has, we could see them claw their way back into royalty.
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Wagga City Wanderers
The tie between the Minotaurs and Wagga at Blacktown Football Park (5pm) is an intriguing one to say the least. Both clubs are in a rut of different severity now, and it seems the only antidote is three points. Hurstville have slid down the ladder since losing their spot at the top, and Wagga did the same after leading after the first week.
Hurstville lost to a revitalised UNSWFC last weekend, which made it three games without victory after recording back-to-back wins to kick off their campaign. Fortunately, the Minotaurs are just five points adrift of the league’s summit.
While it is a fortuitous weekend for Hurstville, the same situation is not shared with Wagga City, who are just three points clear of FC Gazy at the bottom of the ladder. That means they are nine points behind Bankstown. Would a victory help? Most certainly, no questions asked.
Western Condors FC vs Prospect United
The Western Condors collected their first three points of the season last weekend, while Prospect United joined a select few to record three straight wins after just five games. This weekend will tell a tale about both sides.
Where did it come from? After four rounds the Western Condors were winless and housing broken spirits. However, seemingly from the depths of a dark abyss they put together four goals and printed three points on the leaderboard after victory against FC Gazy. Will that result spark the Condors into action?
Due to the above, this fixture will be a lot harder than what Prospect United may have been anticipating. There is no doubt the Condors will be confident, however, there is no reason why Prospect should be worried having lost just one game in four matches. If United can make it four straight, they will sit on 12 points – which is what Bankstown have.
Hurstville FC vs University of NSW
Rounding out this weekend is another very interesting matchup. Hurstville FC have had a torrid few weeks, despite still looking strong. Whereas, University of NSW were also on struggle street, but produced quality last weekend against Hurstville City.
The stage is set for Hurstville FC. They are within striking distance of the top of the table, Bankstown United have a difficult game and they have a better goal difference than Camden Tigers. Meaning, if they come out victors, they could also find themselves league leaders once more if other results favour them.
What about UNSWFC then? Well, they were experiencing a stop-start season, however, they may have stamped their authority against a very strong Hurstville City last weekend. Despite it only being a 1-0 win, the confidence boost the side will get that from that result is perhaps more important that the three points. If they can knock over another big hitter this weekend, the rest of the competition should be heed the warning.
-By Jake O’Brien
