With just 7 rounds remaining, it will take a meltdown for Corrimal Rangers to give up the minor premiership from here given they are 10 points clear at the top now following their win over nearest rivals Warilla Wanderers. Nine other clubs are all still in the hunt for a playoff spot so there is everything to play for as we head into the latter part of the season.

Match of the Round
Fernhill v Warilla Wanderers @ Ray Robinson Field – Saturday 9 July

Realistically, second spot and bragging rights are on line in this match given the current gap between Corrimal and the rest of the pack. Warilla Wanderers won the reverse fixture 1-0 last time round.
Fernhill are coming off a 3-0 win over Balgownie last week however after taking the lead as early as the fourth minute through Andrew Keep, the Foxes didn’t seal the deal till two late goals to Mac Sergi and Kazuma Hagaishi wrapped up the game. The Foxes have a very sound defence having conceded just 12 goals all year however this will be tested with Warilla’s offensive power.

Warilla Wanderers will probably be feeling a little dejected after their heartbreaking loss on the weekend to Corrimal all but handing the title to the Rangers. They do however have a midweek Cup Semi-Final to look forward to against Premier League heavy weights Wollongong United. A win there may just give the Wanderers a boost however a loss could prove to be a mental set back.

Although I expect a tight and physical game, I think a lot will depend on Warilla’s midweek result particularly if that game goes the full distance. With Warilla perhaps having lost their motivation in the league, I think Fernhill will get up in this one by the odd goal.

 

Other games Saturday 9 July
Berkeley Sports v Bellambi @ Berkeley Sports Ground

Berkeley have had a rather turbulent year to date yet they currently sit in fifth spot however six other teams are breathing down their neck. Their 2-0 loss last weekend to University won’t go down as their best performance of the year however they will be looking to bounce back against the bottom team.

Bellambi had an awesome week in Round 14 with two solid wins (vs Oak Flats and University in a double header) coupled with a pair of clean sheets. Just as they looked to be getting a bit of momentum and possibly making a charge up the ladder, they were shot down last weekend 5-0 at home to Thirroul. Games are running out for the Rosellas if they are to avoid the wooden spoon and with Wests upsetting Thirroul midweek, the gap at the bottom is back to six points.

Berkeley Sports won the previous encounter 3-0 and although I expect a closer game this time round, I still think Berkeley will be too strong for the Rosellas.

 

Kiama Quarriers v Oak Flats Falcons @ Kiama Leisure Centre

This looks to be an interesting matchup against two teams battling to make the playoffs. Kiama Quarriers narrowly edged out Wests Illawarra last week with a 1-0 win courtesy of Keegan Beringer. Kiama is usually a lot harder to beat at home having lost just twice at the Quarry all year so the Falcons will need to work hard to get something out of this game.

Oak Flats broke a four-game losing streak last week with a handy 3-1 win over Helensburgh Thistle. Christian Cappetta (2) and Josh De Gouveia getting the goals. They were helped by the return of several players returning from suspension.

The previous fixture between these two sides ended all square and I’m predicting another close one that might just replicate that previous result. In saying that, a draw is not likely to do these two sides any good as they look to make a charge for the playoffs.

 

Thirroul Thunder v Helensburgh Thistle @ Thomas Gibson Park

Thirroul had a resounding 5-0 win on the weekend over Bellambi however they slipped up midweek with a 1-0 loss to Wests Illawarra. That loss may have put pay their hopes of finishing in the top 3 and having a second chance in the playoffs. One thinks a win here is crucial however Thistle won’t be a gift three points.

Helensburgh also slipped up last week with a 3-1 loss at home to Oak Flats Falcons just as they started to regain some of their early season form. New coach, Matt Callahan will be expecting a more consistent performance from his troups. The recent wins have also coincided with the goal scoring form of Andrew Paine.

If Thirroul can contain Paine, I think they will be a big chance here however I think Helensburgh will win this one by two given Thirroul are coming off a midweek game. The previous fixture between these two ended 1-1, I think there will be more goals in this one.

Wests Illawarra v Balgownie Rangers @ Unanderra Oval

Despite sitting in 11^th position, Wests have shown that they are no pushovers in this competition. They narrowly lost 1-0 to Kiama last week and made amends with a hard fought 1-0 win midweek against Thirroul. They are a young side full of enthusiasm and will trouble a few more teams I suspect before the season is done and dusted.

Balgownie too have a relatively young squad and they are in a rebuilding phase where they have many younger players knocking on the door of first grade. The Rangers were beaten 3-0 by Fernhill but they fought right to the end.

This one is a hard game to call. Balgownie won the previous meeting 2-1 however I think Wests at the moment have their tails up and this could just see them sneak another win here.

Corrimal Rangers v University FC @ Memorial Park – Sunday 10 July

After defeating Warilla last week, it’s difficult to see anyone catching them as they open up a 10-point gap at the top. Their aim perhaps now is to go through the season undefeated and reach a mammoth milestone in the process. Mark Picciolini and Save Treneski have been terrorising defences all year and I am expecting a long and tough afternoon for University.

We’ve got the University games this week in town and one wonders just how many of the First Grade squad is playing there. The last time these two sides met, Corrimal ran out 4-0 winners and it looks like it won’t be an easy afternoon for the students. University did beat Warilla several weeks ago so an upset is not totally out of the question.

Corrimal however look to have their sights set on a record breaking season and I can’t see University repeating their heroics against Warilla in this one.