In perhaps a fitting fixture, the MCR Rail Youth Cup final will be contested by the two teams heading up the Illawarra Mercury Premier Youth League - Wollongong United and Woonona.

The pair have the highest goals scored across all 5 premier League competitions - both Premier and District - with United netting 92 times and the Sharks grabbing 90 of their own in all competitions. Averaging 4.3 goals per game each, it has largely been a case for both teams of overpowering other sides.

Woonona have had an uncanny fortune at the back, whereby if they conceded one goal, more often than not they went on to concede again, recording only 4 games in all competitions with neither a clean sheet or two or more goals conceded. With this in mind, Wollongong would have to rate their chances if they can bag a goal and hold tight defensively. However, Woonona have shown they have what it takes to hold a clean sheet, conceding only once in their last 8 matches across league and cup.

This end of the pitch which will throw up the story of the day - the defensive unit of Woonona attempting to keep at bay United's trio leading the Golden Boot race. Whilst no Wollongong player is yet to register more than a single goal in the Youth Cup, Bradley Acev (26) and Timothy Wylie (16) have proven to be the decisive factor in Wollongong's League campaign, being held scoreless only once in the 21 matches to date. However, it is noted that their threat isn't limited to those two, with, Zacharie Nicholas (9), and Zac Mclaren (8 apiece) also contributing regularly to the scoresheet.

It will be this all round threat that Woonona will have to look out for, and whilst they are without a stand-out lone striker banging the goals in solo, their individual goal-scorers have all registered considerably less, with Joel Beattie (13) and Kyle Del (12) heading the list. This may play into their advantage, with the goal-scoring threat not limited to any number of players, but rather all players capable of netting a goal here and there.

The game will invariably hinge on the defensive solidity of Woonona as to whether they can stand a chance against a rampant United side. Recent form may favour the Sharks, registering 6-0 and 5-0 wins over Shell Cove and Picton, whilst United have battled to 2-2 and 1-1 draws with Port Kembla and Bulli respectively.

I'd tip Wollongong in a tight one, perhaps stretching a slim lead late on as Woonona chase the Cup at the death. 

Kickoff is 12:15pm at Crehan Park on Sunday 31st July.

Report by David Atherton (@daveatho5)

Photo by Pedro Garcia