Dapto Dandaloo Fury vs Port Kembla

Dandaloo Sports Ground

Kick-off: Sunday, 2:30pm.

Referee: Andrew Naylor

Dapto Dandaloo host an in-form Port Kembla side this weekend in an important match up for both clubs.

The Fury worked their way back into the race for the League Championship last weekend when they capitalised on Bulli’s defeat on Saturday with a last-gasp win over Cringila Lions.

Head coach Norm Boardman is insisting his side will remain grounded as they inch closer to this season’s finals series.

“We’re not thinking about the minor premiership or anything,” he said.

“We won’t be waiting on teams to do us favours, we just want three solid performances going into the finals.

“The only thing we’re aiming for at the moment is the performances that will build us into the finals series and make sure we have good form.”

“It’s a real big game this weekend because there’s obviously a finals place on the line for Port and Stuart has them playing really well,” he said.

“Credit to him because he’s got his players and his team coming good at the right end of the competition.

“But it doesn’t matter who we play we just want to get those performances going and do what we’ve got to do to see out the season well.”

Dapto Dandaloo are presented with an opportunity to prove their worth for championship honours this weekend as they come up against last year’s champions.

After a disappointing start to the season, Port Kembla have found fantastic form in recent weeks; winning five of their last six games.

Stuart Beedie’s men sit fifth and hold a four point buffer over Albion Park White Eagles and a positive result this weekend will see them take another step towards the finals.

Port Kembla certainly have the pedigree for crunch-time football with many experienced players making up their squad.

“I’ll be looking to the senior boys to lead the team; like captain Daniel Aliffi,” said Port Kembla boss Stuart Beedie.

“Dapto Dandaloo is second in the league and will be a very stiff test I’m sure but we’re up for the challenge.

“The second half of the season has been really good and we’re pretty hopeful of getting a result.

“I’m more than happy with the way the squads come together in the second half of the season, everyone’s fit so I have a full squad to pick from.”

When the two sides faced off at Wetherall Park in Round 9 Dapto Dandaloo came away with a tight 2-1 win and they’ll be hoping they can repeat the effort this weekend.

After this weekend the Fury travel to Woonona before hosting Wollongong Olympic in the final round of the season.

Meanwhile Port Kembla will have to earn their finals place with back to back home games against Bellambi and third placed Wollongong United.

Around the League

On Saturday, Wollongong United host an Albion Park White Eagles side still in the hunt for a finals place while Wollongong Olympic face South Coast United. Cringila Lions travel to Bellambi and Fernhill take on Woonona to round out Saturday’s games with both Bellambi and Fernhill looking to grab some precious points in their efforts to avoid relegation.

Elsewhere, Bulli will look to bounce back from their loss against Wollongong United and regain the momentum at the top of the table when they face Tarrawanna Blueys at Tarrawanna Oval with the home side absolutely desperate for the three points to stay in the Finals race.

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter

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Warilla Wanderers vs Corrimal Rangers

King Mickey Park

Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm.

Referee: Gary Smith

Warilla Wanderers have a chance to sew up a finals berth when they take on Corrimal Rangers this weekend.

A win will make it mathematically impossible for Wanderers to drop out of the top five but finals football is secondary in the mind of head coach Barney King.

“The main thing for us at the moment is to get that second place,” said King.

“If we can do that we think we’ve got a good shot at promotion to the Premier League.

“It gives us a chance to move the club along and meet some of the goals we set at the start of the season.

“We have to win the next three games, we’ve got Picton and Berkeley breathing down our necks so we need to keep winning.”

Corrimal will be doing everything they can to stop Warilla getting the win because victory is equally as important to the northern suburbs club.

Rangers currently hold fifth place on the ladder with a three point cushion over Oak Flats Falcons and a victory will take them a step closer to sealing a finals place.

When the two sides met earlier this season Corrimal were able to come away with a 2-1 win but since then Warilla have only lost one other game.

The game pitches one of the competition’s best scoring sides, Warilla, against its best defending team, Corrimal, in what is an exciting fixture this late in the season.

The importance of the fixture isn’t lost on the Wanderers boss and he’s expecting a solid performance from his side.

“This is probably one of the biggest games of the year for us, obviously we want to win to stay in that second spot.

“It’s going to be a massive, we’re looking forward to it and we’ve got a full side on deck.

“We trained really well this week so I’m expecting a good performance from the boys and I think they’re going to fire.”

Shell Cove FC was able to wrap up the League Championship last weekend but with three games remaining it’s still very tight at the top with several teams vying for a finals place.

Around the League

Elsewhere, Oak Flats Falcons host the Thirroul Thunder and Helensburgh Thistle take on Picton Rangers. Wests Illawarra travel to play Kemblawarra while UOW FC face Coniston Lions. Berkeley Sports host Balgownie Rangers while the Kiama Quarriers host newly crowned champions Shell Cove to round out the weekend’s games.

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter