Round 20 Preview – State League Men’s

It never stops does it and it’s why we love it! It’s been a busy week already in the State League Men’s competition as we saw two Round 16 catch up fixtures played.

So we’ll tackle those first before looking ahead till when the weekend comes.

R16 Review: Prospect United 1-3 Central Coast United.

The train just keeps rolling on, Central Coast United were at their efficient best as they pushed aside Prospect United in the first of the two Round 16 clashes played this week.

It wasn’t easy though as Prospect United made sure they had to earn their win and in turn promotion. Adam Woodbine opened the scoring in the contest, pouncing inside the six-yard box after Prospect keeper Mario Farias produced a double save to deny Yuki Morikawa and Daniel Mcfarlane.

The lead was doubled before the break courtesy of an Alex Arbelo header (yes, you heard that right). We should pay tribute then to the cross from Oscar Torres which found him inside the box.

Prospect United did get a deserved goal back in the fixture courtesy of a Simon Zahra penalty which sent Central Coast keeper Jack O’Mally the wrong way.

However, the win and in turn promotion was sealed through a magnificent Scott Mcginley strike from outside the eighteen-yard box which flew into the net.

R16 Review: FC Gazy Auburn 0-7 Nepean FC.

We’ve seen it before, when it rains goals for Nepean FC, it pours, and this time FC Gazy Auburn were the team on the receiving end.

The visitors to Cook Park got things rolling early when Clement Waoci opened the scoring getting on the end of a Jamie Dib through ball before finishing into the bottom right corner.

Scores remained that way until half time and then well things got a bit ugly. Paul Chester opened the second half onslaught cutting in from his wing before finishing between the keeper’s legs. Clement picked up his second beating the keeper twice before finishing.

Jayden Young then came off the bench and scored a second half hat trick and he was then joined by Alex Moore on the scoresheet to make it 7-0.

Now onto the Preview

Western Condors v Prospect United; Saturday 3^rd August, 5:30 @ Chopin Park

It took them a while, but the Western Condors have finally recaptured their early season form. Now with two wins in a row, they are looking one of the form teams with finals on the horizon. Last weekend, it was a comfortable win against FC Gazy Auburn in the local derby. It was as comfortable as a performance you can get at Progress Park. However, this game almost becomes a must win with a challenging couple of fixtures still to come against Central Coast United and Fraser Park.

Positives can be taken for Prospect United in recent weeks. With a draw that looks friendlier than their rivals for a top five position, they could well sneak into the finals. However, this will be their third fixture in a week having drawn with Hurstville FC last Sunday and gone down to Central Coast United midweek. In the game against Prospect United coach Darren Camilleri reflected on that performance saying, “We were brave but giving away possession in crucial areas cost us.”

Every game counts with three rounds to go and this one has serious finals connotation’s. Big games require big players and maybe just maybe the hosts have that extra level.

Prediction: Western Condors

Hurstville FC v Central Coast United; Saturday 3^rd August, 6pm @ Seymour Shaw

Third place is there for the taking. That’s the motivation for Hurstville FC now, and only a spectacular collapse would see them miss out on semi-final football. If there is a criticism of this outfit however, it’s the amount of draws they’re wracking up. Yep, they’re the competitions draw card in this second half of the season with four draws complimenting their four wins. It’s another chance for their attack to build on some recent momentum and what a statement victory this could possibly be.

It’s a long way to Sydney’s south from the Central Coast. Having secured promotion mid-week, the Premiership is now in the sights of Central Coast United. A win against their opponents this week will go a long way towards that conclusion. It won’t be easy though as this is their third game within a week and who knows if Matty Crowell’s legs can handle such a workload. Promotion tick, now the focus turns to first grade honours.

One win is all that stands between Central Coast United and the premiership. It won’t be easy though as they play one of the leagues best defenses with a score to settle.

Prediction: Draw.

Nepean FC v Balmain Tigers; Saturday 3^rd August, 7pm @ Cook Park No.1 (St Mary’s)

Consistency, it’s the one thing which has meant Nepean FC haven’t secured a finals spot already. Cause when they’re on, there aren’t many teams who can match them. If the team at the foot of the mountains can put together a winning end to the season, we have no doubt that they can go on and win the competition. Crucial too those efforts will be the performances of Clement Waoci who ran the show midweek against FC Gazy Auburn.

It’s not really the time you want to be limping to the finish line. However now is not the time for the Tigers to lick their wounds. Instead they must shake themselves off after a tough couple of weeks and rediscover their roar against Nepean FC this weekend. Last weekend they went down to Central Coast United which is a fate many a team have suffered. Now with two fixtures remaining against fellow contenders for a final spot, nothing but six points will do.

This is most likely the game we’ll have our eyes on this weekend. It’s so tight around the middle and a win for either side is one step closer to the finals.

Prediction: Nepean FC

FC Gazy Auburn v Hurstville City Minotaurs; Sunday 4^th August, 3pm @ Progress Park

Hakuna Matata. It has not been a friendly month for FC Gazy Auburn. In their past three fixtures against Nepean FC, Western Condors and Fraser Park they have conceded fourteen goals. But if the Lion King has taught us anything, it’s that you got to put the past behind you. And if they can, a finals position is still there for them to take with three rounds remaining. Essentially, they’ve got to play three finals starting this week. Let’s see if they can regain their pride and rock the competition.

Avoid the spoon at all costs. That’s unfortunately the only motivation we can think of for Hurstville City Minotaurs this week. Its been four weeks since they’ve won a point in the competition and the General is struggling to juggle a rather thin squad which has seen a few u20’s backing up. Last weekend it was a loss to South Coast Flame on the road. Let’s finish off with a positive though, Keifer Dotti scored his first goal of the season last weekend and will be hoping to double his account in this one.

Prediction: Draw.

UNSW FC v South Coast Flame; Sunday 4^th August, 5pm @ Seymour Shaw

Three points dropped. If were going to write a book based on the season of UNSW FC, that would be our tittle. It happened last time they played at Seymour Shaw against Hurstville FC and it happened last week against Fraser Park. In that game against Fraser Park, they took the lead twice courtesy of the efforts of Nima Beik but couldn’t hold on. You’d suggest if they find another avenue to goal, they can claim a rare clean sweep over an opposition this campaign. They are the one team that have us scratching our heads this season, can they throw a few curveballs over the next couple of weeks.

A win when they desperately needed one. Before last weekend, South Coast Flame would’ve circled both that game against Hurstville City Minotaurs and this one against UNSW FC as must win. In that contest, it was the Matt Mazevski show who played a part in three of the four goals. With Fraser Park and Hurstville FC on the horizon, it’s crucial that they win this contest which in turn would be their first victory over UNSW FC.

With this much on the line, do the visitors crack under the pressure? The pressures all on them in this one.

Prediction: South Coast Flame.

The Run Home

By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)