Round 15 Preview – State League Men’s
Under two months to go in the State League Men’s 2019 edition and its time for everyone to make their move.
We’re counting down to the weekend not knowing what twist this competition will have in store next.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC v Fraser Park; Saturday 29th June, 7pm @ Cook Park (St Mary’s)
Our match of the round takes us out west again for a clash with serious ramifications in the promotion and premiership pictures.
Nepean FC are hot. There’s a certain swagger about the club as they come in to a fixture having won their last two games for the first time this season. Last weekend, they disposed of South Coast Flame and at times made it look rather comfortable. A rare goal for centre back Michael Fakiye set the platform before David Adjassou and Farres Auon joined him on the scoresheet.
So, things are looking up for Nepean FC and they won’t be short of any motivation given the first clash between these two. And just quietly between you and I, we could be seeing some additional faces to strengthen them further.
It’s pretty much a must win game for Fraser Park if they want to keep up the pressure on Central Coast United. Their first loss of the season at home last week against Balmain Tigers couldn’t have come at a worse time. And after such a loss, you either respond in two ways; You bounce back strongly or losing becomes a bit of a trend.
They’ll be keen for it not to be the second one but it will be far from easy in a hostile environment. Perhaps this serves as an indicator for all how Fraser Park will cope in the post-season.
Ignore the difference in points. There isn’t much between these two sides and we can almost guarantee we will see them play again finals time. For now though, Nepean just look too strong a prospect at home.
Prediction: Nepean FC
Central Coast United v South Coast Flame; Saturday 29th June, 5pm @ Pluim Park
There were ominous signs for anyone playing Central Coast United last weekend. They racked up their second biggest score line of the season last weekend against FC Gazy Auburn (their biggest? Against this week’s opposition).
When his at his best, Daniel Mcfarlane can be almost unplayable. He had a field day last weekend scoring four goals. That’s not to say he didn’t have a support cast, most notably Jarred Steen who continues to be a revelation on the right wing (must be something about that position). The train just continues too roll and they heavy favourites to go up.
The draw hasn’t exactly been friendly for South Coast Flame. They find themselves in a bit of a rut yet still cling on to third spot in the standings. June 1st was the last time they tasted victory and bar a major upset, you’d expect that to continue here.
Last weekend they went down to Nepean FC, simply unclassed by their opposition and a bumpy pitch. It doesn’t get any easier for the Flame as they know go on the longest road trip of the competition (Coast to Coast if you like).
Well kind of hard to guess my tip from this write up right? Hard to see any other result occurring.
Prediction: Central Coast United
UNSW FC v Balmain Tigers; Saturday 29th June, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Close but no quite a win for UNSW FC. It was a change of fortunes for the students last weekend with a scoreless draw, and served as welcome relief after losing by a solidarity goal margin in their three previous games.
They Will be missing Aaron Richmond due to a red card last weekend. UNSW FC now have two successive home games and if finals remain the dream, nothing but two wins will do the trick. Won’t be easy against Balmain Tigers though.
Balmain Tigers haven’t lost in their past five fixtures. The Tigers confidence is growing week upon week and they aren’t to far away from a finals position. Last weekend was heralded as their most impressive win by coach Sash Tirovski in which they overcame then table toppers Fraser Park on their own turf.
It was a team performance with plenty of heart and a clinical edge with Marley Jackson, Miki Bisceglia, Michael Zezovski and Frank Calgano scoring the goals. They will need to find another route to goal though as Calgano will be missing due to suspension.
UNSW are getting better and Calgano will be a big miss for the Tigers. I personally can’t separate them.
Prediction: Draw
FC Gazy Auburn v Prospect United; Sunday 30th June, 3pm @ Progress Park
Uh oh, things look like they’re beginning to de-rail for FC Gazy Auburn. They suffered a hefty defeat at the hands of the competition leaders Central Coast United last weekend. To compound the issue, they have lost five players in the mid-season transfer window.
Having not won in five weeks (a belt three of those results draws), this week’s hosts need a dramatic turn around to recapture the form they once were in. Did that loss give them a steely determination to bounce back this week or is a slide beginning to surface?
Awaiting them is another team in the mid-table vortex in Prospect United. The visitors will see this game as a must win with a clash against Central Coast United on the horizon. Last time out a fortnight ago, it was a spirited loss against Fraser Park.
It’s looking likely that we could see some new faces lining up for them as well. If they perform in a similar fashion to their last game, you fancy they will come out on top of this one.
The wind seems to have left the sails of FC Gazy Auburn and Prospect will be itching to get back on the park. That gives them a slight advantage coming into this one.
Prediction: Prospect United
Hurstville City Minotaurs v Hurstville FC; Sunday 30th June, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Now, don’t these two sides both need a win! One win between them in the month of June, one will be hoping to finish off the month in positive fashion.
Time is running out for Hurstville City Minotaurs to turn things around. And this marks a valuable chance for the General’s men to make up ground on a top 5 opposition. They come into the fixture having won local bragging rights in the last derby back in round 4.
In a high-scoring thriller last weekend, they seem to have found another route to goal apart from Thiago Rabinovitch (Although he did score a double last weekend). Juan Botero scored two last week which is bound to release some pressure from Rabinovitch.
Hurstville FC are a team lacking confidence in front of goal. They played out another 0-0 result against UNSW FC last weekend. And it’s not like they didn’t have their chances throughout and surely if they come again, they will score them.
This week they will be missing Christian Di Meglio due to suspension after last weekend. Teams are gathering around them and only have so many chance cards remaining. A loss here could see them drop out of the top 5.
Could this be the last ever Hurstville derby? Let’s hope if it is, it’s a memorable one and too win football games, you need to score goals which possibly gives the home side the advantage.
Prediction: Hurstville City Minotaurs
By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)
