Round 15 – State League Men’s Preview

“Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one” a quote from Back to the Future goes. So, what will team’s in the State League Men’s competition make of theirs? We look forward to the weekend in anticipation well apart from an unlucky few having to play tonight.

First things first, lets finish off last round. FC Gazy Auburn hosted Bankstown United at one of Bankstown’s home grounds on Tuesday night. The ‘visitors’ Bankstown United came away with the spoils winning 5-2 in a high scoring affair. Goals for the hosts came from Toshihisa Saikawa with two, Anthony Villazon, Ryota Oketani and a spectacular long-range finish from Jovan Miladinovic. Whilst Rosario Occhipinti scored a double for the ‘hosts’.

Featured match: UNSW FC v Balmain Tigers

UNSW FC have re-found their form, at least at the time of writing they have. Bearing in mind they have a midweek game at the family friendly time of 8:45pm on a Wednesday night, this week’s host come in having won four games on the trot. The last time they lost you ask? When we last visited. However, since then they’ve seen players return including first choice goalkeeper Ian Johnson and midfield Giles Penfold. Last weekend also saw Bede Leyland step up from the twenties to get his first goal of the season.

Are finals out of the question for Balmain Tigers? If they are hoping to get anything from this season well, they’d need to go without any further slip up. Tough ask but hey this is football; weird things can happen. Last weekend they went down narrowly to a last-minute goal against Nepean. As the familiar story in football goes, they grew in confidence as the game went on, so hold out against UNSW and well anything can happen. They will come into this one not short on suspensions once again with last week’s goal scorer John Nkpolukwu missing.

Last meeting: Balmain Tigers 0-4 UNSW FC

Wagga City Wanderers v FC Gazy Auburn

Two trips away too Hurstville based sides this year, two points on the road for Wagga City Wanderers. The well-travelled unit showed plenty of heart and determination too come back from a two-goal deficit at St George Stadium. Goals to Samuel William Jones as well as Nathan Preston who was a star in midfield raised spirits and a few eyebrows across the league.

The trip to Wagga earlier in the year for FC Gazy Auburn will bring good memories for the visitors. In that clash they came away with a comfortable victory. This side has undergone significant change since then (mostly in a good way) and will be keen to show it. The acquisition of Rosario Occhipinti is looking to have been a masterstroke with the striker scoring two in three.

Wagga City Wanderers secured their third positive result on the road last weekend giving them a much-needed confidence boost, can they build on that result?

Last Meeting: Wagga City Wanderers 1-4 FC Gazy Auburn

Western Condors v Nepean FC

What a result it was for Western Condors last weekend. The Plumpton based side became only the second team to take points off Central Coast United, the first away at Pluim Park. It was a textbook defensive counter attacking performance complimented by a goal of the season contender from Kaito Ikarimoto as well as a less spectacular second for the Japanese recruit.

Nepean FC secured a crucial yet nervy win on the road last weekend against Balmain Tigers. After a couple of losses on the road against teams around them on the standings it was the emergence of Paul Chester which took the headlines. The young striker scored a match winning double supported by David Adjassou and Rory Mcgeown in the midfield.

A battle of two teams who have taken points off the league leaders. Can Nepean continue to resurrect their season or will they be victim of another Condors surprise?

Last Meeting: Nepean FC 3-0 Western Condors

Prospect United v Hurstville City Minotaurs

Travelling away in this league is always a tough task and if you’re not concentrating early, you will be punished. For Prospect United it didn’t take long last weekend for them to find themselves on the back foot and found themselves playing with ten for two-thirds of the game. A goal to Nic Valjak soon after being reduced does reveal some character, a ray of sunshine amongst the clouds.

By contrast, Hurstville City Minotaurs found out what can happen if you don’t take a travelling opponent seriously. A fast start with saw them race out to a two-goal lead just after the five-minute mark, goals coming from Hassan Abdul and Sam Mehana. The Minotaurs will be hoping for a good result firstly on Wednesday night against UNSW and in this one.

Sometimes after a bad result, its just best to forget about it and move on too the next game. Both these teams will be looking forward to bounce back this weekend.

Last Meeting: Hurstville City Minotaurs 1-3 Prospect United

Hurstville FC v Central Coast United

Round 14 in the state league saw several teams produce some important victories. Possibly on top of that list was Hurstville FC who proved to themselves they can match it with finals chasing sides with a win over Prospect United. The attacking trio of Cristian Di Meglio, Jesse Gagro and Paul Gagro were rampant throughout ensuring the complacency of having an extra man didn’t click in.

What’s that weird letter next to the Central Coast United result on the fixtures page? It’s not the ‘W’ we’ve become so used too. This week’s visitors missed the services of front man Adam Woodbine throughout last weeks fixture. A last-minute goal to Josh Swadling on top of an earlier finish to Tom Mallet ensured that letter wasn’t a ‘L’.

Revenge is on the cards for Hurstville FC as they face Central Coast United. In their first meeting they were thumped by Central Coast United 5-0. Time for some payback?

Last Meeting: Central Coast United 5-0 Hurstville FC

Bankstown United v South Coast Flame

Copy and pastes recap at top of this preview*. Nah seriously, it wasn’t as pleasant as I made it seem for Bankstown United. However, Scott Belgre and his team are delighted to come away with a big win without key striker Mitch Cross who returns for this game. The good news continues for Bankstown with the club delighted to bring experienced midfielder Shane Webb into the fold ready for this weekend.

As the weeks go on, South Coast Flame continue to develop and settle into this league. Last week they pushed a UNSW FC well entrenched in the top 5 to the limit. If they got a little bit more luck on the night it could’ve been more. However, they can be delighted by the developing talents of Caleb Grace and Dion Sterjovski in a team finally threatening too bloom.

A ‘home’ debut for Shane Webb, will it be a successful one? They’ll have to be on guard against an ever-improving visiting outfit

Last Meeting: South Coast Flame 1-2 Bankstown United

-By Justin Smith