Saturday 17th July

Oak Flats Falcons (9th -14pts) v Thirroul FC (4th - 24pts) @ Keith Bond Oval

The Falcons frustrating season continued last weekend when they were beaten four goals to two by Kiama in one of only two games to be played because of the big wet. This result came seven days after scoring a terrific win away to Helensburgh which must have the Oak Flats coaching staff pulling their hair out at the inconsistency of the side.

Against Kiama, the Falcons showed some good fighting spirit to come from behind twice but got caught out twice  in the last five minutes of the game with both sides pushing for a winner.

A lot more of this fighting spirit will go a long way if the home side is to have any chance of upsetting today's visitors to Keith Bond Oval.

With Thirroul having the weekend off it has given the Thunder the opportunity to 'freshen up' as we enter the latter stages of the competition. Thirroul come into this fixture on the back of suffering a surprise mid-week (July 2) loss at home to lowly Wests Illawarra but in two games prior to that they had been in a confident mood having racked up 11 goals.

That loss to Wests has probably dented Thirroul's chances of a top three finish and three points here will be important for them to consolidate a place in the final five.

With just six games to play, collecting maximum points in this is a must for Oak Flats if they are to harbour any lingering hopes of making the semi finals.

Tip: Thirroul to complete the double over the Falcons

 

Helensburgh Thistle (7th - 19pts) v Berkeley Sports (6th -20pts) @ Rex Jackson Park

Helensburgh will be hoping that the week off will have been a positive in turning their inconsistent season around after they suffered a bad home loss to Oak Flats in Round 15.
The Burgh just dont't seem to capable of putting two good performances back to back which has hindered their progress into a much higher position on the table. This must be frustrating for the Coach, Matt Callahan, given the quality of the playing group on paper.

After a reasonably slow start to the season, Berkeley have made some steady progress which sees them sitting in a position just outside the top five. They too enjoyed a week off but I am sure that their Coach, Paul Mears will be itching to get his charges back in action after they too suffered a disappointing last round loss to University.

A win here is extremely important for both sides as they strive to keep in touch with Thirroul and Kiama for a spot in the Final Series.

Berkeley accounted for the Burgh in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season but I fancy that the Home Ground advantage might swing this game in the Thistle's favour although a draw wouldn't surprise.

Tip: Helensburgh Thistle

 

Bellambi (12th -7pts) v Corrimal Rangers (1st - 46pts) @ Elizabeth Park

The season is swiftly slipping away for the Rosellas and they won't come up with a much harder task this season than when they welcome the marauding Corrimal Rangers to Elizabeth Park.

After recording a double header (six points) weekend a couple of weeks ago, Bellambi slipped back into their bad habits when beaten five goals to nil by Thirroul in Round 15. Perhaps the weekend off may have helped with a few injured players but they are going to need all the help they can get if they are going to get anything from this one.

With 16 games played, Champions elect, Corrimal are now on a mission to go through the season proper undefeated and with Warilla and Fernhill 'out of the way' in the second round, this task should be completed without too much trouble.

Save Treneski and Mark Picciolini lead the way in the race for the Golden Boot and last game shared the five goals in the win against UOW FC with Treneski grabbing a Hat Trick. The Rosellas could well be working overtime in defence in an effort to contain the attacking force which is well supported by the likes of Domenic Magill.

From what the writer has seen in recent performances, Corrimal appear to be at their most vulnerable early in the game and if their opponent can get the jump on them in the opening twenty minutes it could be interesting the longer the game goes without the Rangers scoring a goal - easier said that done!

Tip: Corrimal by some margin

 

University FC (10th - 16pts) v Fernhill (3rd -30pts) @ Kooloobong Oval

University were one of four teams that played last weekend but unfortunately for them, the Students came out second best, like a lot of sides before them, when beaten by five goals to one by runaway leaders Corrimal Rangers.

UOW performed admirably for an hour in that game but once they went behind a second time they didn't offer much resistance after that.

Evan Fitzsimmons continues to lead the attack well for Uni and was on the scoresheet again in the loss to Corrimal in Round 16.

Visitors this week come in the shape of Fernhill who are now locked in a battle with Warilla Wanderers for the Runners Up spot in the League.

The Hill have won two straight since losing to Berkeley in a deferred match three weeks ago and on paper it is hard not to go past them in this one. Fernhill are reasonably solid defensively (2nd Best Defence - 12 goals against) and look good going forward with the ball although their conversion rate of opportunities created could be considerably better.

Midfielder and Captain, Marc Sergi is their leading goalscorer with seven and the club will be hoping recent signing, Andrew Keep will be able to chip in with a few goals of his own to improve the goals for column.
Tip: Fernhill

 

Warilla Wanderers (2nd -33pts) v Wests Illawarra (11th - 13pts) @ King Mickey Park

Warilla Wanderers welcome Wests Illawarra to King Mickey Park and barring a major upset should be too strong right across the field for the visitors.

The Wanderers have been beaten in their last two outings although they were admirable in both defeats. Against Corrimal in Round 15, Warilla led the leaders twice before succombing to twom late goals against the League Leaders. In a midweek Bert Bampton Cup Semi Final against holders Wollongong United, the Wanderers came out second best in an eight goal thriller in a game which the District League side led three times but couldn't quite finish the game off after having the better of their Premier League opponents for long periods of the game.

Coach, Barney King will make sure his players have their minds on the job after those two disappointments has his side strive to hold onto 2nd spot on the table.

Prior to being washed out last week, Wests Ilawarra scored a surprise but confidence boosting win over Thirroul in a deferred Round 11 fixture which gave them some breathing space away from the relegation zone.

Wests will need to build on that much needed win and play to their optimum if they are going to get something from this visit to Warilla. Wests conceded five goals at home to the Wanderers in Round Five and this is definitely one area they will need to tighten up

if their journey south is to be fruitful.

Tip: Warilla Wanderers

 

Balgownie Rangers (8th - 19pts) v Kiama Quarriers (5th -22pts) @Judy Masters Oval

Thisencounter at Judy Masters Oval could be the 'tightest' match of the round as both clubs battle for a final series spot at season's end.

The two sides come into this fixture with contrasting recent form, with the Rangers having lost their last two games albeit against two of the top three sides whilst Kiama have picked up a maximum six points to catapult them into the coveted fifth spot for the time being.

In round five, Kiama came out on top in a five goal thriller at the Quarry so Bally will be looking to reverse this result if they are to stay in touch with the top five.

Both sides have similar goal differences, Balgownie (-3) & Kiama (-4) so this points to an open game of football with definitely goals in it. The home side do not have a stand out goal scorer with goals being shared around but Kiama have Keegan Beringer with nine goals to his name, has had a very good season and is the go to man for the Quarriers.

Approaching the business end of the season, three points is a imperative for the Rangers in their quest for a spot in the Final Series whilst a win for Kiama will push them one step closer to that same goal.

Tip: Draw

 

Report by David Naylor

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia