Shell Cove FC vs Picton Rangers

Myimbarr Park

Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm.

Referee: Chris Munn

Shell Cove FC have the chance to wrap up the Illawarra Credit Union District League Championship when they host Picton Rangers at Myimbarr Park on Saturday.

The Cove have run away leaders of  the competition at the moment as they hold a 10 point buffer over second placed Warilla Wanderers.

The opportunity to seal the title with three games remaining is an exciting prospect for head coach Rob Mihailov and his side, but it will be no easy game against Picton who sit third on the ladder.

“We’re not trying to get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Mihailov.

 “The boys know we’ve got one hand on the trophy and we just have to make sure that we get the job done.

“We’re up against a side that’s proven to be a top end of the table team so it’s a major test for us.

“Picton are a strong goal scoring team, when they attack they like to get numbers forward and we just have to make sure we’re ready for that.

“If we can wrap up the League Championship it’ll relieve a bit of pressure in the last few games and that means we can start focussing on the finals.”

The game presents the perfect opportunity for Shell Cove to cap the regular season in style as it pits two of the competition’s best sides against each other.

Both clubs have conceded 23 goals during the season, tied second lowest in the league, and at the other end of the pitch they have scored at a phenomenal rate; with Shell Cove netting 63 times and Picton a further 58 times.

Rangers are the only team to rival Shell Cove on current form with four wins in their last five games while the Cove carry five straight wins into the match.

Picton boss Brett Morley knows his side face a difficult task in trying to work a positive result out of the fixture.

“Shell Cove aren’t the best team by fluke, they’ve been pretty consistent all year,” said Morley.

“It’s a huge test for us and probably the biggest and most important game of the season so far, they haven’t lost in a long time so hopefully we can give them a reminder of what it feels like.

“We’ve been able to put some chances away recently, it’s probably something we didn’t do enough of in the first round and that’s why we are where we are.

“It’s nice to know that we can convert those chances into goals and hopefully that won’t change on the weekend.”

The long season has worn on both teams who have players sporting some knocks and niggles that might carry over to the game.

However, fans should expect an exciting fixture when two of the District League’s best teams lock horns in what could be a potential finals matchup.

Around the League

Elsewhere, fifth placed Corrimal Rangers host sixth placed Oak Flats Falcons as the two do battle for a potential place in the finals. Second placed Warilla travel to Wests Illawarra in the hopes of extending the gap between themselves and third while Helensburgh Thistle host Balgownie Rangers. Fourth placed Berkeley take on an up and down Kemblawarra side with Coniston Lions travelling to take on the Thirroul Thunder. UOW FC host Kiama Quarriers to round out the weekend’s fixtures.

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter