Round 10 – State League Men’s Preview

We are approaching the half-way point of the State League Men’s season but not before some cracking Round 10 fixtures this weekend.

Nepean royalty Clement Waoci leads their charge against Bankstown United, Central Coast United undertake one arduous road trip and much more in this weeks State League Men’s action.

Bankstown United host their first match at their new temporary home at the Crest this weekend when they host Nepean FC this Saturday evening in the match of the round.

In recent years, Bankstown United have not been familiar with not winning games. This week’s hosts come into this fixture off the back of a draw with Prospect and a hefty loss to Central Coast United last week. Indeed, Bankstown could not keep up with the frontrunners, only managing to wrestle back control on a few occasions throughout the ninety minutes. Despite the 4-1 losing score line, coach Scott Belgre can take a bit of comfort from well not playing Central Coast again but also some solid defensive performances from Steve Wright and Andreas Kartsioulos. They will need those two plus more to keep this week’s opponents out.

Those opponents, Nepean FC are the stark opposite of the home side. They come into the game having won the last five games including last week’s match of the round win over UNSW FC. In terms of players to single out for the visitors, it really is only about one man. Clement Waoci has now scored nine goals in their last five games and has the ability to make an opponent pay for one second of lost concentration. A scorer needs a supply route though and that role has been filled well by Jamie Dib whose midfield control was impressive throughout.

So, can Bankstown United return to their familiar winning ways after a few hiccups or will they come out of this one Crest-fallen?

Wagga City Wanderers v Central Coast United

It was always going to be a tough task for Wagga City Wanderers last weekend. They went down in a tough away task to a good side in Prospect United. The Wanderers found themselves down by two goals before dusting themselves off and showing some guts to keep it to 3 at full time. This was due to another good performance from Robert Fry in goals and strong games from Prince Thompson and Tindtenda Sly.

Central Coast and Wagga Wagga are a long way from each other, fact. It’s perhaps the one challenge this classy outfit based at Pluim Park haven’t faced and conquered yet. Last week Central Coast United were at their best as they disposed of Bankstown United convincingly at home. There are too many threats to count in this outfit but notably of late has been the captain Daniel Mcfarlane stepping up and scoring frequently.

It’s the longest trip in the competition as Central Coast United are looking at a 535km road trip to face the hosts, will that take an effect?

South Coast Flame v Hurstville FC

It was becoming a bit depressing writing about this South Coast Flame side week after week. It was before last week that is as they got back on the winning side of the scoresheet in defeating Western Condors. In a week of comebacks that was last week they produced the most dramatic through goals from Bojan Caric and Louis Connell, the question is can that spark turn into a Flame?

That will be tough though against a Hurstville FC side who are looking more and more impressive as the weeks go by. Last week they produced a ruthless second half performance to sweep aside FC Gazy and come into this one having scored 9 goals in 2 matches. Central to this has been the awakening of Paul Gagro who has doubles in those games and his getting plenty of help.

The Flame showed a bit of spark last week on the road. If they’re not on their guard this week though it could be just as easily extinguished.

UNSW FC v Western Condors

If an unfortunate event has occurred twice, it will most likely happen a third time, an old proverb goes. For UNSW FC’s sake, let’s hope not. Last week they were unlucky once again in going down in defeat having clawed down a deficit. However, they weren’t able to and were punished. If I were to spin this though, striker Nima Beik has clicked back into gear relatively quickly and they got a whole midfield to return so things can only get better for the once formidable side.

Someone calls up an investigator, we’re struggling to figure out what to make of the Western Condors. The Condors came into last week as favourites however they were beaten by South Coast Flame who wanted it more. For them to be competitive here, they will need to recapture their early season form where they troubled Central Coast and Prospect respectively. Their threat? Joakim Moussinga whose scored a couple of top-notch strikes recently.

The last couple weeks have been tough on UNSW with a couple of tight losses to some top teams. Is it a hiccup or something more? These questions and more answered this Saturday night.

FC Gazy Auburn v Hurstville City Minotaurs

On their day, FC Gazy Auburn can trouble the majority of sides in this competition. Unfortunately, at this point it’s looking like those days are going to be few and far between. When a team is low on confidence, it’s important to take chances and last week they didn’t, they lost heart and were ruthlessly swept aside in a discouraging fixture against Hurstville FC. Gazy did get on the scoresheet though through George Iliopoulos so that’s something right?

Are we starting to see an upturn in form from the Hurstville City Minotaurs? After only managing one win in their first six, they’ve managed to pick up two in their last three. Last week’s victims of the general’s assault on the competition were the Balmain Tigers. After going down early, the hosts were impressive in dragging themselves back and largely controlled the second half. They will be looking to Riad Agnache and Kushaal Ram to continue some good form.

Hurstville City Minotaurs bounced back convincingly last week however FC Gazy Auburn won’t roll over at home. If finals are on the cards for the Generals men, time to get some consistency.

Balmain Tigers v Prospect United

Another team who after nine rounds, we really are struggling to figure out. Balmain Tigers come into this game in mixed form having won two of their past five. Last week in all honesty felt like a step back from the Tigers as they went down to the Minotaurs after holding a one goal lead despite controlling the first period. Let’s hope for a positive reaction from Antony Barca who has 3 in 3 and his team in this one.

The draw hasn’t necessarily been kind to Prospect United, this is their first of five straight away games. This week they come into in after securing a comfortable win on the road at Wagga. They will need to play better than they did during the second half of that game of that fixture though. Last week it was the story of Brett Stephens whose play up from both with or without the ball saw him collect two goals.

An opponent has never really been able to break away from Prospect United. So as a team looking to dislodge them from a finals spot, this is a tough must win assignment for Balmain even if were not half way yet.

-By Justin Smith