District League Round 1 Preview 

Saturday 25th of March

Coniston FC vs Balgownie Rangers at JJ Kelly Park 3 pm kickoff

Newly-promoted Coniston has been the form team of the preseason, securing 4 wins on route to the Fraternity Cup Grand Final. They will be keen to continue this winning streak into the first round, as well as their impressive goal scoring form which is spearheaded by star recruit Dinko Terzic.

In contrast to Coniston, Balgownie has had a stuttering preseason losing their opening 2 Fraternity Cup matches. The Rangers 3-2 win over Wests does provide hope but they will need strong performances from the likes of Anthony Vardareff and Jackson Dummett if they are to get a result in this fixture.

Prediction - Coniston

 

Oak Flats Falcons vs Berkeley Sports at Keith Bond Oval 3 pm kickoff

The Falcons secured a couple of solid wins in the Fraternity Cup and they can consider themselves unlucky not to have progressed out of their group.

Similar to Oak Flats, Berkeley were extremely unlucky not to progress to the semifinal of the Fraternity Cup after a solid group stage showing including a 2-0 victory over Warilla.

With Oak Flats preseason form and the likes of Jarryd King in the Berkeley defence, I expect this to be a low-scoring encounter.

Prediction - Draw

 

Warilla Wanderers vs Helensburgh Thistle at King Mickey Park 3 pm kickoff

Warilla recorded 2 comprehensive group stage victories in the Fraternity Cup seeing them top their group, however, a 6-2 defeat in the semifinal to Coniston and a potentially season-ending injury to new recruit Daniel Ferraro has the Wanderers on the back foot.

Helensburgh only managed 1 win in the Fraternity Cup but decent showings in all 3 matches is a reason to be optimistic for Brad Boardman's side.

Warilla boss, Barney King will do well to get his players in the right headspace and I can see the Burgh going close to pulling off a round 1 upset.

Prediction - Draw

 

University FC vs Thirroul Thunder FC at Kooloobong Oval 3 pm kickoff

The Students picked up 2 group stages wins in the Fraternity Cup but a 3-1 defeat to Warilla scuppered their chances of progressing. While forward, Evan Fitzsimmons will be key for University going forward, it is their defence that will come most under scrutiny after conceding 70 goals (the 2nd worst) in 2016.

Thirroul were a mixed bag in the Fraternity Cup, going undefeated in their group before crashing out to Fernhill in the semifinal. It will be interesting to see what role Marcus Rusbourne and Brad Strudwick play after rejoining the Thunder after time with Bulli youth grade.

Prediction - Thirroul

 

Fernhill Foxes vs Kiama Quarriers at Ray Robinson Field

WASHED OUT

 

Wests Illawarra vs Bellambi Rosellas at Unanderra Oval 3 pm kickoff

Wests finished bottom of the group in the Fraternity Cup but they were able to salvage a creditable 2-2 draw with Thirroul. Diogo Andrade managed 2 goals in the Cup and his NPL2 experience is key for the Devils.

Bellambi failed to score a goal let alone win in the Fraternity Cup. This goal drought puts pressure on a backline that conceded a league-high 74 goals in 2016. The likes of David Kiss and Gary Newell will be key to rectifying the defence.

Despite this being a round 1 one fixture there is immense pressure on both sides as points are likely to be hard to come by.

Prediction - Wests

 

Preview by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela