Saturday 2nd July

 

Warilla Wanderers (2nd -33pts) v Corrimal Rangers (1st - 40pts) @ King Mickey Park

Undoubtedly, the Match of the Round this week will be played out at King Mickey Park on Saturday where the top two teams compete in what should be an absorbing encounter.
Even with seven rounds to go after this one, it is fair to say that anything less than a Wanderers victory in this Round 15 fixture will virtually mean that the Rangers will be assured of the League Title and with it Promotion to Premier League. That's how big this game is!

With this being a 'last chance saloon' for The Wanderers, the home side are going to have to take the game to The Rangers from the off to try and unsettle a Rangers defence that has only conceded a miserly five goals (in the league) all season. Corrimal didn't start the game at all well last time out against Balgownie and could have easily have been one or two goals down inside the opening 15 minutes and perhaps herin lies the key.

Warilla in recent weeks have been able to find an early goal and if they can repeat the effort in this one and Corrimal have to chase the game it could be 'game on' over the remaining weeks.

Both clubs have assembled a very good side by District League standards with plenty of players on view with Premier League experince. The strike force of both teams is excellent with the likes of Chad Keating, Javier Ovando & Chris Smith on view for Warilla with Corrimal parading the likes of Domenic Magill, Save Treneski and the Picciolini Brothers on deck.

With that calibre of player around you would think that this game will have goals in it but it could come down to how well the respective defensive structures are able to impact the game could decide the outcome.

The two experienced Coaches, Barney King (Warilla) & John Fleming (Corrimal) could also have an influence in this game as they make sure that their game plans are carried out by their charges.

Corrimal were victorious in Round Four by the odd goal in five but Warilla were able to turn the tables in a recent Bert Bampton Cup fixture with a rousing five goals to two victory in that one.

This really is a toss of the coin affair and not a place to be for the feint hearted. Further, it should be a spectacle if the two sides go at each other from the opening whistle.

Tip: Warilla Wanderers to end Corrimal's unbeaten run but only by the narrowest of margins.

 

Helensburgh Thistle (6th - 19pts) v Oak Flats Falcons (9th -14pts) @ Rex Jackson Park

Helensburgh are back at home this weekend after suffering a mid-week loss last Thursday to title aspirants Warilla Wanderers by four goals to two (Rd 11) but bounced back in Rd 14 with a strong four goals to one win away to Kiama Quarriers.

In so many games for the 'Burgh this season, Andrew Paine has been the 'go to man' and once again he was on the mark against the Quarriers with a double with Luke McCann chipping in with a brace also.

This week's visitors, Oak Flats Falcons, are desperate to kick start their season which has stalled dramatically in recent times and one wonders where there next win is going to come from after suffering a disappointing home loss to last placed Bellambi last round.

Confidence in the camp must be at an all time low and Coach Marty Madden needs to find a magic wand from somewhere if his side is to halt a woeful run of form.

A trip to Helensburgh is never easy but it would be a good place to start a comeback if there is going to be one.

Tip: Helensburgh

 

Bellambi (12th -7pts) v Thirroul FC (4th - 21pts) @ Elizabeth Park

The Rosellas finally cracked it for a win last Saturday v Oak Flats (2-0) and to top it off they backed up on Sunday and made it two wins on a double header weekend with a three goals to nil victory over University FC.

This was just what the Doctor (Greg Smart) would have ordered and the six points will now go a long way in their desperate plight with relegation hanging over the club's head as they now sit just three points behind Wests Illawarra although Wests do have a game in hand.

The most pleasing aspect from the Coach's point of view would have been the two clean sheets which gives the team something to build on with the re-newed confidence.

Another bonus would have been the hat-trick scored by youngster James Young in the win over Uni.

Thirroul FC make the short journey to Elizabeth Park in a buoyant mood after a resounding six goals to nil victory over University in Rd 14. A strong second half performance which produced five goals including three in the last five minutes was the catalyst for this strong showing and the Thunder will surely test the mettle of Bellambi's defensive structure.

The Thunder collected the three points by the odd goal in five in the corresponding fixture in Rd 4 and based on these most recent results, this could be another tight affair.

Tip: Thirroul FC

 

University FC (10th - 13pts) v Berkeley Sports (5th -20pts) @ Kooloobong Oval

What a difference a week makes in football, Uni had been travelling reasonably well in mid-season but suffered a disappointing double loss weekend just finished and not only conceded nine goals in the bargain but failed to find the net at the right end of the pitch.

I don't think anyone at the club would have seen that coming and it is important that they bounce back to form immediately or they could find themselves back in the dogfight again at the wrong end of the table.

Berkeley arrive at Kooloobong Oval smarting from a four-one loss to highflying Warilla Wanderers last Saturday but that was on the back of a good win (1-0) against third placed Fernhill in a deferred Rd 11 game last Thursday with Jesse Gant the match winner in that one.

UOW got the three points last time the two teams met by the narrowest of margins but based on fortunes since that earlier fixture one would have to fancy Berkeley turning the tables this time around.

Tip: Berkeley Sports

Balgownie Rangers (7th - 16pts) v Fernhill (3rd -27pts) @Judy Masters Oval

The Rangers return home to Judy Masters after coming off second best (like so may teams before them) against league leaders Corrimal in Rd 14. Balgownie actually started the brighter of the two teams in that game and with a bit of luck could have scored once or twice inside the opening 15 minutes before Corrimal kicked into gear to score a routine four goals to nil victory.

If the home side is to get anything from this encounter against the team running third in the competition, they will need to make most of the opportunities when they come their way and also tighten up with their defensive discipline at the same time.

Against Corrimal, Bally were guilty of giving away some 'soft' free kicks (due to lack of discipline) in their 'back third' and paid the penalty twice in the first half.

Fernhill are having a good aseason thus far and will be very hard to beat today. The Foxes had a comfortable four goals to one victory over Wests Illawarra in Rd 14 but they did have a bit of an hiccup 48 hours earlier when surprisingly beaten at home by a goal to nil against Berkeley Sports.

The visitors have bolstered their ranks in the last week with the mid-season signing of striker, Andrew Keep from Helensburgh. This is Keep's third stint at Fernhill and he celebrated his return to the club with a goal against Wests.

The corresponding game in Round 4 was won by Fernhill and I expect them to have to much firepower in this return fixture.

Tip: Fernhill

 

Wests Illawarra (11th - 10pts) v Kiama Quarriers (8th -16pts) @ Unanderra Oval

This weeks game at Unanderra Oval pits two sides together who will be desparate to return to winning aways with both sides have won only once in the last five rounds.

After a solid pre-season, Wests have failed to go on with it in the season proper with the team of youngsters just lacking that bit of experience at this stage to handle the nitty gritty of home & away football. However, a win or two over the next few weeks will provide them with the confidence to push away from the lower end of the table.

Likewise, with Kiama they need a couple of wins shortly to keep up any hopes of figuring in finals football at the end of August. Keegan Beringer continues to be the shining light for the Quarriers and once again he was able to find the back of the net in the loss to Helensburgh last Saturday.

Kiama won the game by the sea in Round 4 by two goals to nil and maybe too strong once again.

Tip: Kiama Quarriers

 

By David Naylor