Round 9 Preview – State League Men’s
A blockbuster round sees an intriguing battle at both the top and bottom of the table as teams make their push towards finals football.
We kick off the round with a 6-pointer between cellar dwellers Wagga City and FC Gazy, before the battle for the top four commences as Prospect host Hurstville FC.
Our match of the round sees two of the competition’s in-form teams, Nepean FC and Camden Tigers, do battle in the chase for the Premiership.
Top of the table Bankstown United will be hoping to capitalise on any dropped points as they entertain a Hurstville City Minotaurs team desperate to bounce back from last week’s derby defeat.
The round wraps up on Monday afternoon as UNSW look to make it six wins on the bounce when Western Condors FC comes to town.
(9th) Wagga City Wanderers FC vs (10th) FC Gazy Auburn (Saturday 3pm)
With both teams languishing at the bottom of the table, neither can afford to drop points here.
Wagga City will be hoping home ground advantage will help them over the line in this contest, especially after their recent troubles on the road.
With only four points to their name and the teams above them rising up the table, anything other than three points on Saturday or Wagga City risk losing sight of the top four altogether.
FC Gazy will be encouraged by their efforts last week against a rampaging UNSW. If they can bring some of that form into this week’s contest, they may be able to pick up their first points of the season.
With both teams desperate for 3 points, this game has massive implications for the future of each club this season.
(6th) Prospect United vs (5th) Hurstville FC (Saturday 5pm)
Plagued by inconsistent form and results, both Prospect and Hurstville FC need three points on Saturday afternoon if they are to continue their push for the finals.
Prospect coach, Darren Camilleri, last week said that his side “need to be better in critical moments of games”, if they are going to contend this season. If Prospect are going to play finals football, this is a critical game.
Buoyed by victory in the Hurstville derby last round, Hurstville FC will be hoping for another positive result as they continue their climb up the table. Their incisive wing-play with the likes of Paul Gagro and Henry Kamleitner will be a threat to Prospect as well as their new recruit Rocco Luca who got on the scoresheet in his debut last weekend.
If either side wants to play finals football this season, three points is essential in this fixture.
(2nd) Nepean FC vs (3rd) Camden Tigers FC (Saturday 7pm) – MOR
An obvious choice for Match of the Round.
Second vs third. The competition’s best defence vs arguably the competition’s best attack.
Nepean FC haven’t conceded a goal since round six, and with only five goals conceded all season, will prove difficult to beat at home on Saturday. However, it’s their troubles at the other end of the pitch that they will need to overcome if they are to win this game. With only 14 goals scored this season, they have the 4th worst attack in the league.
Camden, on the other hand, have had no trouble scoring goals this season, amassing 23 in just 7 games – at an average of 3.2 goals per game. But these goals have come at a cost, having conceded more goals than any other side in the top four.
An irresistible force against an immovable object, indeed. Whichever team comes out on top on Saturday night will mark themselves as serious contenders for the title in 2017.
(1st) Bankstown United FC vs (7th) Hurstville City Minotaurs (Saturday 7pm)
With a cluster of teams nipping at their heels, Bankstown United need three points on Saturday night if they are to hold onto top spot in the competition. Equally desperate for three points is Hurstville City Minotaurs, who will be eager to bounce back from last week’s derby defeat.
Fresh off a 6-0 victory against Wagga City, Bankstown’s in-form strikers, Tom Markovski and Sean Robertson will threaten a Minotaurs side that is beginning to slide closer to the bottom of the table than the top.
(4th) University of NSW vs (8th) Western Condors FC (Monday 3pm)
Two teams with contrasting form close out Round 9 on Monday afternoon. UNSW with five wins on the trot and Western Condors having lost their last two, conceding 7 goals and scoring 0.
The formbook points to only one result this long-weekend, however football is an unpredictable game and as we have seen in this competition, anyone can beat anyone on their day.
Form Guide:
Wagga City Wanderers (L,D,L)
FC Gazy Auburn (L,L,L)
Prospect United (L,W,L)
Hurstville FC (W,D,L)
Nepean FC (W,W,L)
Camden Tigers (W,W,L)
Bankstown United (W,L,W)
Hurstville City Minotaurs (L,L,W)
UNSW (W,W,W)
Western Condors (L,L,W)
-By Ryan Latty
