Round 5 – State League Men’s Preview
A super Saturday of football awaits us this weekend, six fixtures in one night!
Are we in dreamland?
Match of the Round
Wagga City Wanderers v South Coast Flame
Desperation time for both these sides?
We pack our stuff and go on a road trip for a clash between two sides who desperately need a win.
Wagga City Wanderers are now the only side yet to secure a win this season. The Wanderers came away disappointed from a game you would have fancied them to take a point from last week. Indeed, it was a 4-1 loss to FC Gazy Auburn in blustery conditions.
However, a bright spark can be seen as the contribution of Tyler Allen who seems to be in the middle of all things good for the Wanderers.
This week they do get to return to their actual home ground Gissing Park on Saturday afternoon.
Maybe the confidence boost they need?
I probably was being a bit harsh on South Coast Flame when I said desperation time, they’re not quite there yet. In recent weeks they’ve faced the unenviable task of facing two sides who haven’t dropped a point in Bankstown and UNSW.
It could be argued they were unlucky last week, having spurned a number of opportunities against a 10 men Bankstown unit before falling short by just a goal. The combination of Matt Mazevski and Bojan Caric continues to cause problems though and one of these weeks, they’re going to tear a team apart.
It’s crunch time in this year’s competition and it’s time for these sides to show their bite.
Central Coast United v Hurstville City Minotaurs
Central Coast United play host to the Hurstville City Minotaurs on Saturday afternoon.
Last weekend was a big one for Central Coast United, hosting a game at Central Coast Stadium was something special.
Now the question is can they return to their Pluim Park and resume where they left off?
A five-star performance it was, as they dismantled Hurstville FC in what was a men against boys occasion. They were ruthless throughout, in a game in which a performance from their number 10 Alex Arbelo stole the show with a hat-trick and Josh Swadling continued his goal-scoring form with another goal.
Hurstville City Minotaurs will be looking to return to the winner’s circle after going down in our match of the round last week. The Minotaurs were unlucky to concede three goals, they missed a few regulars particularly their first-choice goalkeeper and captain.
They showed glimpses though and with a striker like Ketung Manyiel who has the ability to produce the spectacular.
There isn’t a much harder place to go to then Pluim Park though, so it will be a challenge.
Western Condors v Balmain Tigers
The Western Condors face Balmain Tigers at Chopin Park this Saturday evening. Both these sides will be desperate to maintain their full complement on the field in this one as they were both punished last weekend.
It went wrong early for the Condors last time out and turned out to be the first game they didn’t manage to score. Let’s be honest though, not many would count on beating Nepean at Cook Park at any time, yet alone one who lost their first few.
However, they did manage to push them during the second half in a respectable performance and were unlucky to not at least trouble the scorers.
Things were looking on the up for Balmain Tigers, they seemed to recapture their roar the previous week with a win against Nepean. Unfortunately, though they lost control early against UNSW and couldn’t bounce back.
Things spiralled further after missing a few chances in the first half, chances of which you have to take against a top side when they received another red card.
It’s a new week and a chance for both these sides to turn their ship around.
Prospect United v FC Gazy Auburn
Two winners from last week’s fixtures face off when Prospect United host FC Gazy Auburn this Saturday night.
Prospect United come off a win over Hurstville City Minotaurs in last week’s match of the round. Despite that, coach Darren Camilleri is convinced his side can do much better on the park in all but one area.
He gave special praise to his central defence partnership of Alex Bit and Michajlo Jonjc last week, which gives them a handy platform to build on. In saying that, attackers are the ones who catch the eye and I wouldn’t bet against Nic Valjak scoring or playing a major part in any success for Prospect this season.
FC Gazy Auburn can breathe a sigh of relief after getting their first win on the board. They travelled to Wagga and came back with three points.
The visitors in that game always looked in control after adjusting to the conditions quicker. Javier Salinas scored early in both half’s as well as goals from Andrew Alvarenga and Panyar Maliet to make it two in a row after a cup win over the South Coast Flame.
Nepean FC v Hurstville FC
No one could’ve predicted it would take four weeks for Nepean FC to get a win on the board. Now that they have, can they pull themselves further up the table with another against Hurstville FC.
It’s fair to say now there seems to be a sense of contentment around the Nepean camp. The sense of relief is palpable amongst staff and players alike. Could this win over Western Condors finally have kicked off their season?
And boy did they need it, a loss against local Sutherland Shire Football Association outfit Kirawee Kangaroos in the FFA Cup last Wednesday was rock bottom. Then their striker returned well at least to scoring, Clement Waoci picked up a double against the Condors. If Nepean are going to claw their way back, Waoci will have to play a crucial part.
Hurstville FC faced the unenviable task of taking on Central Coast United at Central Coast Stadium last weekend. This on the back of a disappointing FFA Cup loss where they gave it their all against NPL 2 NSW Men’s outfit GHFA Spirit FC only to go down 5-4 after extra time.
Back to Saturday, they looked tired against Central Coast which was to be expected. This week though we can expect them to return to their fighting best.
UNSW FC v Bankstown United FC
It’s quite possible we’re leaving the best till last this weekend.
UNSW FC host fellow high flyers Bankstown United this Saturday night at Valentine Sports Park.
UNSW have been faultless so far in this years first grade competition. After having a slight hiccup in round one against the Minotaurs scrapping past them for a 3-2 lead, they have gone on to secure three rather comfortable wins since.
Last weekend they dispatched the Balmain Tigers in a rather one-sided affair. Scoring early has definitely helped the students on their way so far after that it seems very difficult to claw them back. They threaten from all over the park with seven goal scorers in four weeks. This however will be their toughest test yet.
Bankstown United have kicked on where they left off last year in their Premiership winning season. The visitors this week will be proud of their defensive record being one of two teams conceding under a goal a game.
They come into this game after a tight yet confidence building win over the South Coast Flame. After going down to ten men just before half time they clung on to secure a win on the road. Their threat will come from striker Mitch Cross who has an unbelievable seven goals in four games so far.
It’s all set up for a cracking top of the table Saturday showdown.
-By Justin Smith
