Men’s State League 2 Round 3 Preview
Although it is still early days in the Men’s State League 2 competition, clubs have been fighting until the last whistle in search of points that could be crucial in the latter stages of the season.
This week we’re off to St George Soccer Stadium in a middle of the table clash between Hurstville FC and Prospect United.
Hurstville FC v Prospect United – WASHED OUT
Although Prospect are undefeated in the first two rounds of the season, Hurstville FC are one spot higher than them on the ladder and lie only one point clear of the top four after winning last round in a see-sawing affair against the Western Condors.
Prospect United on the other hand, will be searching for their first win of the season after a solid, yet rather unconvincing start to the competition. They have had chances to take home the three points in rounds one and two, but have lacked the composure to convert their opportunities.
With that being said, Hurstville did exactly that against the Condors and proved they have the mental toughness to grind out a win, in a match that was there for the taking. As a result, Hurstville will be in red-hot form leading into this match but Prospect will be hungry to get this win. It will be a tough away game for Prospect but no doubt head coach, Tony Caruso and his squad will be up for the challenge.
Saturday 25th April, 5pm, St George Soccer Stadium
University of NSW v Camden Tigers
University of NSW will host the Camden Tigers after coming off a one-all draw with Prospect United last week. The Tigers have bumped their way up to equal first on the ladder with Dunbar Rovers, after a scintillating performance against FC Gazy Lansvale saw them win 6-2.
2015 leading goal scorer, Jayden Russell, has started the competition in outstanding form having scored a double in both rounds, with Daniel Semaan not far behind on two goals. The combination between these two will be crucial if Camden are to pick up a win away.
University of NSW have recruited well in the off season however and have showed they are no longer a bottom of the table team, after they caused an upset to beat Hurstville FC at David Phillips fields in round one.
Saturday 25th April, 3pm, Ron Dine Reserve
Wagga City Wanderers v Southern Districts Association Club
Wagga City Wanderers will have their work cut out for them when they host Southern Districts on Saturday who are on the back of a convincing 3-0 victory over Hurstville City Minotaurs.
Despite the Wanderers losing 6-1 to table-topping Dunbar, they showed that they were well and truly in the game going into the break with the score at one-all. Both sides have had issues towards the end of the match however after Southern Districts conceded an injury time goal to Western Condors in round one to draw the game, while the Wanderers let in four goals in the last ten minutes of the match last weekend due to fatigue.
With that being said, there is no doubt both sides will start the match at a high intensity, but it will be a test of who can grind out the game by staying mentally strong in the second half. Whoever can do that, will hold themselves in good stead to be victorious.
Saturday 25th April, 3pm, Gissing Oval
FC Gazy Lansvale v Dunbar Rovers
After a disappointing result last week, FC Gazy Lansvale will be looking to address the disciplinary issues in their game that let them down. Although the Rovers in the end, came out convincing 6-1 victors over Wagga City Wanderers last week, they will want to produce the effort they did in the last 15 minutes, throughout the whole match.
Injuries have been a big problem for Lansvale and continue to be without the inclusion of James Keane this week, due to a hamstring strain he suffered against the Tigers. Club President, Safet Alispahic says although they are missing key members to their line up, it gives the twenties an opportunity to play at a higher level and bring more enthusiasm to their attack.
Dunbar is an experienced side with plenty of veterans and as a result of their 9-1 points difference in the first two rounds, Lansvale will have a huge task containing the likes of Craig Mooney and Robbie Deasy from finding the back of the net.
Saturday 25th April, 8pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hurstville City Minotaurs v Western Condors
Both the Hurstville City Minotaurs and the Western Condors are winless in the 2015 season and will like to change that this weekend when they go head-to-head at Magdala Park. Despite scoring a late equaliser in round one against Southern Districts, the Western Condors could not rally up the same fight last week, going down to Hurstville FC 3-2.
The Hurstville City Minotaurs have had a dreadful start to their 2015 campaign, losing both matches played 3-0. They are the only team this season yet to score a goal, so attack is a key area of concern that will need addressing for the weekend.
They will also have a challenging job ahead of them in defence because Mauricio Navarette is in good goal-scoring form after bagging a double last weekend.
Sunday 26th April, 4:30pm, Magdala Park
-By Lars Roy, Men’s State League 2 Reporter
