Round 5 Preview

After finally getting a full schedule of matches played in Round 4, and a couple of catch-ups in midweek, we are at last making up the fixture backlog and the IPL ladder is starting to take shape, though Picton Rangers still have some catching up to do after playing their first IPL match only last weekend (and a first outing on home soil scheduled for Thursday this week).

Bulli are early pace-setters in spite of facing a run of fixtures against strong rivals for Finals football later in the year. And Wollongong Olympic are another side who have started 2017 strongly.

At the other end, there were first wins last weekend for Port Kembla and Woonona, so they’ll both be looking to push on after shaky starts.

Match of the round

Bulli FC v Wollongong United @ Balls Paddock – kick-off 2.30pm, Saturday 22 April

Both sides go into this clash brimming with confidence. Bulli have twice in the last week come from behind to get results against top teams in the IPL, on both occasions hitting a purple patch with three goals in quick succession to turn the games on their head.

United meanwhile still have a 100% record in the League, and ended the Easter weekend with the season’s first silverware, holding onto the Fraternity Cup they won in 2016.

Matches between these two are usually exciting affairs, the equivalent fixture producing a thrilling 2-2 draw two years ago, and a 5-1 win for Bulli last year. I don’t expect a repeat of that scoreline this time round, though four of Bulli’s scorers on that day are still in the squad: Guy Knight, Ryan Emerton, Dylan Lewis and Ben McDonald, and young Marcus Beattie has joined the First Grade line up this season and seems to be scoring for fun week-in, week-out.

Daisuke Yuzawa has looked sharp in front of goal for United this season and scored the only goal in the Frat Cup Final. He has been joined by compatriot Takayuki Noji, who scored a brace in last week’s Round 4 fixture. But as usual with Oliver Vrtkovski’s squads, the threat can really come from anywhere.

The tie could go either way – and I got it wrong last week on Bulli – but I reckon United might grab the three points this time. The thing is confidence is so high at Bulli, though, they could be 3-0 down again and they’ll still fancy their chances.

Friday 21 April

Cringila Lions v Albion Park White Eagles @ Crehan Park, kick-off 8.00pm

If the White Eagles were hit hard by Bulli’s comeback last week to beat them 3-2 after leading 2-0, they may take heart from what happened in this fixture in 2016, when Cringila let a two goal lead slip and Albion Park came back for a draw 2-2.

Shohei Okuno scored one of the goals that day and he is still creating magic across the park for the White Eagles, with his new compatriot team mate Yosuke Tashiro already forming a great new partnership.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Lions this season so far, though. Last week’s defeat to the Blueys was the second time they have conceded five in just three games. But sandwiched between those defeats was a handy 3-0 win over Woonona, so the Lions can pose a threat up front too, and they won that day without striker Milan Atlagic.

But I think Albion Park’s defence will be too strong for Cringila and they’ll be all the more keen to keep a clean sheet after last weekend’s slip-ups.

Three points to the White Eagles is my tip for this one.

Other games on Saturday 22 April

Wollongong Olympic v Woonona FC @ PCYC, North Wollongong - kick-off 2.30pm

Olympic did the double over Woonona in 2016 and will be hopeful of another win this weekend. Rob Birkin’s side have made a great start to the season, dropping points only to Corrimal at home so far, and confidence will be riding high at PCYC after the convincing 3-1 win at last year’s minor premiers Kemblawarra Fury.

The Sharks might have hoped they had kick-started their own season with a last-gasp win last weekend against Corrimal, but they came back down to earth in midweek, going down 2-1 to South Coast.

Yusuke Ueda scored twice in the equivalent fixture last year and he has been knocking them in again in 2017 so he’s the main threat in front of goal, but Brendan Fordham scored in both the IPL games between these two last year and when he pushes forward that will add to the pressure on the Sharks’ defence.

For Woonona, their best hope up front might be from Daniel Atkins, though Valentino Merxhushi scored last week and was on the scoresheet when these two met last year, too.

Prediction: home win

 

Sunday 23 April

Corrimal Rangers v Tarrawanna Blueys @ Memorial Park – kick-off 2.30pm

The Blueys go into Round 5 in a Top Five spot after a reasonable start to 2017.

Certainly Peter Willis will have been pleased with his side’s performance last weekend, when they trounced Cringila Lions 5-0. Sangyu Park got a brace that day, along with goals for new signings Jared Fish and Woo Oh. Sam Rose got the fifth.

Corrimal have been missing two of their three key players in recent weeks with Luke Picciolini and Save Treneski both serving suspensions. Those absentees plus half an eye on the Frat Cup Final coming up might well have contributed to their defeat at Woonona, but until last Friday’s defeat, Corrimal had been performing extremely well in their first season of Premier League football for quite a few years.

John Fleming will be asking his side to get straight back in the saddle after recent falls, and I fancy he might lift them enough to get the three points against Tarrawanna, but it will be no pushover and I’m sure the Blueys would like to prove me wrong.

 

Port Kembla FC v Kemblawarra Fury @ Wetherall Park – kick-off 2.30pm

If these two had met a week ago, there might have been a whole different dynamic to the match. Port had lost their two IPL games and the Fury were riding high, although they had suffered a shock in midweek, being pegged back from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 with Bulli.

Last weekend created a big shift in the mood at both clubs, though. Port smashed Picton 5-0, with goals for Kyle Hazebroek, Brooklyn Frkovic, Jung Seuk Jung and a brace for Sandy Lowcock.

Fury meanwhile fell at home to Wollongong Olympic, with more defensive lapses allowing three goals in one half.

So this is a real test for both sides as Port look to push on from last week but are now up against a team that will challenge them more than Picton, while Fury look to regroup but would possibly have chosen a different opponent than a resurgent Port.

There’s enough talent in the side Luke Maguire has put together for 2017 to get a result here, but Port will pounce on any defensive slips. I’m going to call it a draw.

 

South Coast United v Picton Rangers @ Ian McLennan Park – kick-off 3.00pm

Picton did the double over South Coast last year, but I fancy they may struggle to repeat that in 2017. Lack of match practice was probably a factor in their 5-0 trouncing by Port Kembla last week, and with a catch-up match scheduled for Thursday night, the Rangers have a better chance here against potentially weaker opposition.

But South Coast have started 2017 with better form than many neutrals had predicted, including myself. A creditable draw against Tarrawanna was one good result, with the midweek win over Woonona taking Greg Valic’s side to a respectable mid-table berth.

Daniel Goodhew, Mitch Hall and Ben Roberts scored in the 3-2 Picton win in this fixture in 2016, and they are all likely starters for the Rangers again.

On the United front, Ricky Bertakis has been working wonders for his club this year and scored the penalty which won the midweek game ten minutes from time.

I think both sides would settle for a draw in this one.