Round 9 – State League Men’s Preview
A good old-fashioned football shootout awaits us in this week’s match of the round with two attack minded teams coming face to face.
Elsewhere league leaders Central Coast United host contenders Bankstown United before Western Condors and Hurstville look to pressure the top five.
Last weekend’s cold weather wasn’t enough for one certain reporter obviously as this weekend we head out to Cook Park to catch Nepean FC who have won their last four games as they take on UNSW FC this Saturday night.
Nepean FC come into this round after a convincing win over the South Coast Flame last time out.
Indeed, it is the first time this week’s hosts have run rampant over an opposition this season scoring five goals and threatening more on the road. In a performance not short of attacking flair, Clement Waoci, Roberto Polistina, Shomari Sabatho and Mubarak Saeed all got on the scoresheet. Of the other players, it was Billy Dib who impressed the most often pulling the strings in the attacking third. Could this be a sign that things have finally clicked into gear for Magdy Andrawes and his men?
How does one team react to their first defeat after eight consecutive victories beforehand?
That’s the question facing UNSW FC for this fixture. Football is a game of fine margins and we could just as easily be looking at a team who have won nine on the bounce. Unfortunately for them though, goals from Ben Dexter, Christian Soares and a stunning strike from Luiz Lobo was not enough. Striker Nima Beik who returned possibly to quickly last week will have more minutes under the belt this week which could make all the difference as they face another tough test.
Two sides with plenty of attacking talent again come face to face in the match of the round, it should be another belter.
Central Coast United v Bankstown United
Central Coast United made a big statement of intent in seeing off UNSW FC last weekend.
It wasn’t pretty at times but they dug deep, stayed in the contest and scored what could be a crucial goal right at the death.
It was captain Daniel Macfarlane who was undoubtedly the stand out for the Coast boys, stepping up to score a free kick at the death and being a part of well anything that was good for them.
Bankstown United come off a tricky home fixture against Prospect United. It was a case of not really being able to play how they’d like as they shared the spoils in a two all draw. Late equalizers are always going to lift a team though and they almost stole all three points with a couple of chances to win it. Scott Belgre will be hoping his team can carry that the momentum gathered towards the end of the game will carry into this one.
It is the meeting of the two most effective defences in the competition so far. A low scoring yet entertaining fixture could await.
Western Condors v South Coast Flame
Winning ways returned for the Western Condors last weekend as they overcame FC Gazy Auburn in a typical derby. The Condors took advantage of an early opportunity as Joakim Moussinga got on the scoresheet from an impressive long-range effort. From then on, they relied on a bit of luck yes but a win is a win. This week they will be looking too make it two from two and keep the pressure on the top five.
South Coast Flame found themselves being the second-best team on the park once again last weekend. After holding pre-season hopes of finals, it was a disappointment to see them not really challenge a strong Nepean team. If they are going too they will have to rely on more of the team putting in an effort like Martin Thomson last week as the fullback was relentless in attack and defense.
A lot at stake for both these sides, even if it is relatively early in the campaign.
Prospect United v Wagga City Wanderers
Prospect United are gaining a bit of a reputation in the competition, it’s not a bad one to have though. They were valiant last week in their fixture against Bankstown United. Some times as a coach you can’t ask for anything other than 100% and they sure did that. This week they face a different sort of test and as well as relying on usual suspects like Nic Valjak, they can look too others like Ray Romeo and Thomas Kasunic in the attacking third.
It wasn’t to be for Wagga City Wanderers last weekend. The Wanderers were completely over run by Balmain early on, credit to them though as they hung tight and nearly were able to take advantage. An opening courtesy of some poor opposition discipline saw Brad Fangas getting on the board for their seventh goal of the campaign. Another tough road trip awaits them this week and they will hoping to continue to improve.
Pretty straight forward result, right? This is football though; stranger things have happened.
Hurstville FC v FC Gazy Auburn
Hurstville FC put in a season best performance last weekend, they took bragging rights over the Minotaurs in the first Hurstville derby of the season. As the score line reflected it was very much one sided, goals to Daniel Kocina, Reece Turner and a double to Paul Gagro who scored his first goal to the seasons. This week it’s about making sure that performance wasn’t a one off and who knows, another win could see them in finals contention.
FC Gazy Auburn had a couple of weeks to stew on an ugly loss to Central Coast United, it may have actually helped. FC Gazy were unlucky to not come away with anything from last weeks game against the Western Condors. They knocked on the oppositions goal but were unable to burst it open in a game of which if they got one, more would follow. They will need fill in a gap up front now after seeing their regular striker out.
Hurstville City Minotaurs v Balmain Tigers
Hurstville City Minotaurs had an unfortunate reality check last weekend. You can spin it whatever way you want, but last week they didn’t turn up for a clash with their neighbours. Losing hurts, especially for the ‘General’ Peter Sarikakis, it can go either one of two ways and hopefully for the Minotaurs it is the right way as they return to the site of last weeks disaster. Given it is transfer season, we can possibly expect more players to don the black and white kit this weekend.
Balmain Tigers have seen a resurgence of sorts in recent weeks and you can be sure I am taking some credit for it. An impressive win over Hurstville FC was backed up by a win over Wagga City Wanderers last week. They were rampant in the first half with a double to John Nkpolukwu as well as a goal to Swaray Kamara being enough to take the three points. They will have to do it without Allie Jayee and Benne Owusu who are suspended.
-By Justin Smith
