Shell Cove FC vs Helensburgh Thistle

Myimbarr Park

Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm.

Referee: Mick Agim

League leaders Shell Cove host a resurgent Helensburgh side in this weekend’s feature match at Myimbarr Park on Saturday.

After a slow start to the season, Helensburgh have put together a handy three game win streak that has them within touching distance of finals contention.

An injury hit campaign has given Thistle Head Coach Matt Callahan the opportunity to feature a host of home-grown youngsters in a move that’s paid dividends for the club.

“It’s been one of those seasons for us with a lot of players picking up long term injuries,” said Callahan.

“We’ve got a smaller squad this year too but what we do have is a lot of young guys coming through that have taken their opportunities.

“When someone gets injured it just opens a door for somebody else to step up.”

Despite sitting eighth on the ladder, Helensburgh have the competition’s fourth highest goal tally (48 goals) and are becoming known as a strong attacking outfit.

The game against Shell Cove comes at a good time for Thistle as they look to prove their worth in the hunt for a finals spot.

When the two sides met back in round eight, Helensburgh scored a late goal to earn a 1-1 draw which has left coach Callahan eager for the rematch.

“We managed a draw with them in the first round, they’re obviously a good side and this will be a good test for us,” he said.

“We like to play them because they’re a good footballing side, we’re trying to play really nice football all the time and on our day we can match it with them.

“I think every game now is pretty much do or die for us so it’s a very important match for us.”

Shell Cove are also on a three game win streak but are also undefeated since April; a run that has put them seven points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.

The good form hasn’t left Head Coach Rob Mihailov resting on his laurels, however, as he remains wary of the offensive power Helensburgh possess.

“They’ve been hitting a bit of form over the last three or four weeks,” said Mihailov.

“They’re a strong attacking team that plays 90 minutes of football and they showed that against us in round eight.

“We’ll need to be prepared to stop their attack and if we can do that we’re confident of putting the goals away against them.”

The Cove have a few injury concerns leading into the match but have been served well by their squad depth over the course of the season and will be looking to that for support again.

Helensburgh are currently seven points outside of the finals places but are yet to play a number of teams sitting above them that could see them sneak into the post-season.

Shell Cove, however, will be hoping it’s business as usual as they look to keep a healthy buffer between themselves and second place. 

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter