There was plenty of noteworthy results in round 5 of the WGC Cranes District League highlighted by Fernhill's big win over Bellambi that moves them to the top of the table. Elsewhere goal-shy Berkeley put three past University and Kiama grabbed their first win of the campaign. Now we look ahead to the round 6 set of fixtures.

Match of the round

Wests Illawarra vs Fernhill Foxes at Unanderra Oval, kick off 3 pm, Saturday 29th of April

Wests maintained their top 5 status with an admirable 1-1 draw against then top of the table Warilla. The exploits of Jordan Hughes will be key against the league's best defence - if he gets a goalscoring chance he will need to make it count.

Fernhill had a resounding 5-0 win over Bellambi. This takes their goal tally to 13 which compliments their 4 straight clean sheets. Veteran forward Ilija Prenzoski continues to find the back of the net, his hattrick against the Rosellas taking his personal goal tally to 5.

Wests have started the season well but it will be extremely difficult for them to cause an upset in this match.

Prediction - Fernhill

 

Saturday 29th of April (all kickoffs are at 3 pm)

Balgownie Rangers vs Berkeley Sports at Judy Masters Oval

Balgownie continued their woeful start to the season with a heavy 4-1 defeat to Helensburgh. The Rangers have been without a handful of key players but they will need to start picking up points to avoid being cut adrift.

Berkeley has put together back to back wins with a healthy 3-1 win over University. After 2 impressive seasons a youth level, Jaksen Giraldi has made the step up to first grade and is becoming a key part of Berkeley's attack.

Berkeley has a tough run of matches after Balgownie so Paul Mears will be pushing for a win in this clash.

Prediction - Berkeley

 

University FC vs Warilla Wanderers at Kooloobong Oval

After 2 decent wins, University produced a lacklustre performance against Berkeley going down 3-1. Defensive cracks reemerged in this match which is a worry leading into their encounter with the league's best attack. It is important to note that defence needs to start from the front.

Warilla were held to a 1-1 draw against Wests but a 7-2 win away to Helensburgh four days earlier makes for a productive week. Kaine Good has been in exceptional form for the Wanderers with 6 goals in 3 matches and along with Bojan Caric this side is potent upfront.

There are too many issues with the Students' defence for me to back them against a Warilla side full of goals.

Prediction - Warilla

 

Thirroul Thunder vs Kiama Quarriers at Thomas Gibson Park

Thirroul picked up an impressive 1-0 win over Coniston which leaves them in 4th after a tough string of fixtures. The Thunder play a resilient brand of football that has proved effective against talented opposition - it will be interesting to see if they are now able to impose themselves against weaker opposition.

After a concerning defeat to Helensburgh, Kiama picked up their first win of the season at home to Oak Flats. Kiama are still yet to keep a clean sheet but the scoring form of Brenton Burke (3 goals in 4 matches) is a reason for optimism.

I expect the Thunder to build on their win over Coniston.

Prediction - Thirroul

 

Oak Flats Falcons vs Helensburgh Thistle at Keith Bond Oval

After nearly running away with a win against Coniston, Oak Flats now see themselves in the bottom four after a 2-1 defeat to Kiama. The Falcons have the ability to tussle with any side in this league but it is crucial for them to start collecting wins.

Helensburgh recovered from their savaging at the hands of Warilla to record a 4-1 win over an injury-depleted Balgownie outfit. New recruit Naruyuki Kato has adjusted well to life at the Thistles bagging his second brace of the season to take his tally to 4 goals in 3 matches.

A Falcons' win wouldn't be an upset but they haven't been convincing so far this season.

Prediction - Draw

 

Bellambi Rosellas vs Coniston FC at Elizabeth Park

A 5-0 defeat is never a good result but you can almost make an exception against a high-quality Fernhill side. Bellambi were beginning to move on from their 8-1 opening day defeat to Wests so this match will be a test of their mental fortitude.

Coniston has had a horrific eight days - dropped points at Oak Flats, defeat to Fernhill in the Fraternity Cup final and now a loss to Thirroul. In that time they have been knocked off top spot and have only managed to score via an injury time penalty against Oak Flats. A wobbly week for the newly promoted club with serious promotion hopes.

I expect Bellambi to fight hard in this match but Coniston's quality should shine through.

Prediction - Coniston

 

Makeup matches

Bellambi vs University at Elizabeth Park, kick off 3 pm, Sunday 30th of April (Round 2)

Fernhill vs Kiama Quarriers at Ray Robinson Field, kick off 8.15 pm, Tuesday 2nd of May (Round 1)

 

Preview by Dylan Arvela on Twitter @dylanarvela