ROUND 3 – DISTRICT LEAGUE PREVIEW

As we move into Round 3 of the WGC Cranes District League Competition, the action is hotting up with Helensburgh looking more and more likely each week that they are serious contenders this year. All bar two teams have registered points already and every team has scored now.

 

MATCH OF THE ROUND

HELENSBURGH THISTLE v KIAMA QUARRIERS @ Rex Jackson Oval – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

Helensburgh Thistle has showed that they are a free scoring team having bagged nine goals in their opening two games. They face a vastly improved Kiama side that has already showed they will be no pushovers.

Kiama on the other hand have a win and a draw to start their season and will feel quietly confident going into this match. They will take heart from the fact that they led Fernhill twice last week however Coach James Spence will be keen to avoid defensive lapses against the Thistle this week.

It is the longest road trip in the District League as the two teams are located at the outer extremes of our Association boundaries. I think Kiama will compete well however I expect Helensburgh to be too strong at home.

 

BERKELEY SPORTS v WARILLA WANDERERS @ Berkeley Sportsground – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

Berkeley Sports appear to have had an unsteady start to their 2016 campaign having just registered a single point from their opening round draw against Wests Illawarra. They were thumped last week 5-0 by a youthful Balgownie side that ran rampant. Coach Paul Mears will be looking to put that behind them this week as they host potential title contenders - Warilla Wanderers.

Warilla Wanderers got their season back on track with a tough win at Thirroul last week. Coach Barney King has signed a few new players over the last couple of weeks as he looks to strengthen his squad. The latest signing is Bojan Caric formerly from Albion Park White Eagles. Along with Colin Walker, these two could hold the key to Warilla’s title hopes. If they are to be a serious threat, they will need to overcome teams like Berkeley Sports.

Each round often springs an upset or two however I think Warilla is just starting to find its feet and will be too much for Berkeley Sports this week.

BELLAMBI v OAK FLATS FALCONS @ Elizabeth Park – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

Bellambi are still coming to terms with an entirely new team this year. They just haven’t been able to put together a complete 90 minutes yet much to the frustration of coach Greg Smart. Although bottom of the table, they have faced tough opposition in the first two rounds and will surely get results over the coming weeks.

Oak Flats Falcons find themselves level on points with Helensburgh at the top of the table. I can’t remember the last time we saw Oak Flats make this sort of start to the season. The question is can they keep this up? They are high on confidence and with a strong backline, they are going to be tough to be beat. I think Oak Flats will continue their run with a two goal win over Bellambi.

 

BALGOWNIE RANGERS v CORRIMAL RANGERS @ Judy Masters Oval – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

Here we have the battle of the Rangers and two teams that had comprehensive wins in round 2. Balgownie scored five past Berkeley last week. Coach Jamie Dummett will have been pleased with his chargers particularly Mitch Hoswell and Kurt Dorahy who both scored twice in their win. He would have been even more pleased to come away with a clean sheet.

That steel in defence will be tested this week with the visit from Corrimal who after hitting a minor speed hump in round 1 took their frustrations out on Wests Illawarra. They scored eight last week but for some wasteful finishing, it could have been a few more. Save Treneski has been in scintellating form in the early part of the season and he must be close to getting a starting spot although with Dominic McGill, Luke and Mark Picciolini up front already, this is a tough decision for the coaching staff.

I think Corrimal have found their groove and if Balgownie don't muscle up this week, Corrimal could hit them for a few.

UNIVERSITY v THIRROUL THUNDER @ Koolobong Oval – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

Although University put in a more consistent performance last week, they still found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard and subsequently sit at the bottom of the ladder albeit after just 2 rounds. They have plenty of time to turn things around and they will be hoping to do just that against Thirroul.

They will need to keep in tighter and be more consistent against Thirroul this week as this is a team that prides itself on defence it seems. They are difficult to break down having conceded just once in the last two games. Thirroul had a bit of a set back falling to Warilla last week and will fancy their chances against a Uni side lacking some confidence at the moment.

I see some good signs for Uni and I can't see them losing three straight games. I am not sure though they have the mental strength and consistency required to beat Thirroul - tipping draw.

 

FERNHILL v WESTS ILLAWARRA @ Ray Robinson Field – Saturday 9 April @ 3.00pm

This game has been reversed to Fernhill as they host a side that is still licking their wounds after the pounding last week. Fernhill have started the season with two draws and are still yet to put it together for a full 90 minutes although having said that, they have played two strong teams to start the season. There is a bit of experience at Fernhill this year however its playmaker Marc Sergi who appears to be controlling things for the Foxes.

Wests Illawarra coach Arthur Kinnas will be looking to put last weeks capitulation behind him as he focuses on preparing the team for Fernhill. Wests Illawarra over the last two years have had a great preseason campaign however they have not been able to emulate that form into the competition. Young Daniel Djukic has been one of the stand out players for Wests this year and he too will be hoping for some better fortune this week.

The loser of this game will fall further behind the leading pack even at this stage of the season so both teams will be desperate for the win. I think Fernhill will win it in a close one.