Round 6 District League Preview

As we move through a quarter way through the season, the District League table is splintered with a distinct group leading the way led by the two only undefeated teams in the competition in Corrimal and Helensburgh with both Wests Illawarra and Bellambi still searching for their first win of the season.

MATCH OF THE ROUND – SATURDAY 30 APRIL

THIRROUL THUNDER v OAK FLATS FALCONS @ Thomas Gibson Park - 3.00pm
Thirroul have enjoyed a good start to the season and are coming off two wins and a draw from their last three matches. They have managed to hold their own against the top teams in the competition so far and they currently sit third on the competition ladder just three points behind the leaders. In their last start, Thirroul held Helensburgh to a draw to break their 100% record. They required an 84^th minute equaliser from Thirroul’s top marksman – Luke Mittwollen. Thirroul though face a tough challenge again this week with a home game against the Falcons.

Oak Flats started with a hat-trick of wins however they have lost narrowly to Helensburgh and they were unlucky not to have beaten Kiama after conceding an equaliser very late in that game. They will be hoping to bounce back into the winner’s circle and keep up the pace with the front-runners. They will have played four of the current top six teams after this round and a win here could really set a strong platform for a tilt at the title.

This one could go either way and I think the team that wants it more on the day will probably come out on top. I am working on the theory of when in doubt, go with the home side. I think Thirroul by one.

FRIDAY 29 APRIL

WESTS ILLAWARRA v WARILLA WANDERERS @ Wetherall Park – 8.00pm

This game has been moved away from Unanderra Oval due to unrecovered works.

Wests have had a disappointing start to the season after their amazing Fraternity Club run in pre-season. They simply haven’t been able to put it together so far this year. Wests need to knuckle down defensively as they haven’t kept a clean sheet yet during the regular season and last week they relied on young Daniel Jorge getting their goal.

Warilla Wanderers have had a stuttering start to the season however I will not be surprised if they go on now and string a number of wins on the trot. They certainly have the talent and experience and rumours are they may just be adding further to their squad over the coming weeks. It was Luke Greathead that nabbed a 90^th minute winner against a resolute 9 man Fernhill side. Coach Barney King will be hoping for a more-straight forward win this week.

On form, Warilla should win this well however sooner or later, someone is going to get stung by Wests I feel. My heart says this is going to be very close and a draw is on the cards but my head says that Warilla will win by 2.

 

OTHER GAMES: SATURDAY 30 APRIL

BERKELEY SPORTS v HELENSBURGH THISTLE @ Berkeley Sportsground – 3.00pm

Berkeley Sports not only got their first win last week but they managed to triple their goal tally in a 3-0 win over Balgownie to break a three game goal-less losing streak. Coach Paul Mears and his team will take some confidence from that heading into this week’s game against co-leaders Helensburgh. Whilst it would probably be considered as a huge upset, should Berkeley win this week, it could really kick start their season.

Helensburgh suffered a minor setback last week as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home with Thirroul. The Thistle average just under three goals a game but of concern is perhaps the fact that despite being undefeated and having won four from five, the Burgh have failed to keep a clean sheet this season. They seem to be relying on their attacking strengths to do the business.

I think this week, those attacking strengths will be too good for Berkeley with Helensburgh winning by two goals and I think they may just keep a clean sheet as well.

 

KIAMA QUARRIERS v BALGOWNIE RANGERS @ Kiama Leisure Centre – 3.00pm

We’ve talked up Kiama this year after they have shown us that they are a far more consistent and competitive team than that from last year. They drew 1-1 at Oak Flats last week however they are undefeated at home this year as they welcome Balgownie Rangers. Kiama’s blend of youth and experience seems to be holding them in good stead however if they are to be considered as a genuine playoff team, they will need to beat teams like Balgownie.

Balgownie inflicted further misery to Wests Illawarra’s season last week in their 2-1 win at home. The Rangers had been misfiring the past two weeks yet they managed to knuckle down and get the job done with a handy win particularly given they were beaten 3-0 at their last two home games. It was former Tarrawanna player Nick Morgan that got the winner for the Rangers. They travel down to the Quarry this week where they will be hoping to make it back to back wins for the first time this year.

Balgownie seem to perform a little better on the road this year however I just can’t see them beating Kiama this week. I do think it will be close though with Kiama winning by a solitary goal.

 

FERNHILL FC v UNIVERSITY FC @ Ray Robinson Field – 3.00pm

Fernhill’s unbeaten run came to end last week after they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Warilla. Fernhill have been involved in several low scoring fixtures this year however they host University who have been involved in matches this year with an average of four goals/game. Something will need to give here.

University have found it difficult against the top 7 teams and with Fernhill one of those, I can’t see University going on a scoring spree. They will need to work on their defence one thinks as they currently have conceded the most goals following their 4-0 loss last week to Corrimal. If they are to salvage anything from their season, they will need to grind out a result against the Foxes this week.

I can’t see it happening though. I believe that Fernhill will be too good and will bounce back from last week.

 

SUNDAY 1 MAY

CORRIMAL RANGERS v BELLAMBI @ Memorial Park – 3.00pm

Corrimal made light work of University last week dispatching them 4-0. It was prolific goal scorer Save Treneski who helped himself to a hat-trick inside 30 minutes. New recruit and former Shell Cove player Jacob Miller also managed to get himself on the scoresheet on debut. The Corrimal machine seems to be rolling along and they will be looking to do the same against a struggling Bellambi side this weekend.

Bellambi were holding their own last week against Berkeley til the sending off of Hugo Coronel in bizzare circumstances. They seemed to implode after that conceding three times in the last 15 minutes of their game against Berkeley.

Bellambi will be desperate for points this week however facing the might of Corrimal will be daunting and if they do not put in a spirited performance, they could find themselves well beaten. Corrimal by four.

 

Report by FSC.