There are some huge games this weekend as we look to complete the first half of the season. 

Saturday

Berkeley Sports vs Shell Cove @ Berkeley Sports and Social Club 3 pm

The bottom two sides of the division face off in a battle that could decide who finishes 12th this season. Berkeley extended their winless run to ten matches after being convincingly defeated 9-0 by Bellambi at Elizabeth Park last Saturday. This contrasted Shell Cove who earned just their second win of the season getting up 2-0 against Picton.

Three points could be crucial for the Goats who sit four points below their opponents heading into this weekend. However, the side’s goal-scoring struggles have been a consistent issue this year having scored only nine goals. However, all but one of those goals have come at home - including scoring four goals against Unanderra on the opening matchday. With a lot on the line for the Goats, this match could provide the motivation needed for Berkeley to revive their stumbling campaign.

Meanwhile, Shell Cove’s win last weekend ended a five-game losing streak for the side and pushed them to within three points of Balgownie in ninth position. Shell Cove have recent history on their side, having won both of the side’s meetings last campaign. A win on Saturday would create a gap of seven points between themselves and the Goats.

Shell Cove will be confident of continuing their positive record against Berkeley but must be wary of the Goats occasional goalscoring flourishes at home this season.

Prediction - Shell Cove

 

Oak Flats Falcons vs University @ Keith Bond Oval 3 pm

Oak Flats and University have so far made huge improvements on their performances last year in the District League, with both sides sitting comfortably in the top five. Oak Flats moved into third after their 5-2 thrashing of Unanderra last round while University created some breathing room between themselves and sixth place, sharing the points in a 1-1 draw with Thirroul.

A win for University would see them go within three points of their opponents on Saturday. However, they will need to show better defensive stability in this match, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four games and keeping just two over the opening ten rounds. University should be recognised for their incredible improvement this year as last campaign, they had just seven points after ten games which is less than half of what they have earned this time around.

The Falcons are currently six points off the pace at the top of the division, which means it will be difficult for the side to make a push for top spot considering the near-perfect form of the two sides above them. This means the Falcons’ priority may now shift to making third position their own with Unanderra and University loitering below them in fourth and fifth position respectively. This weekend provides Oak Flats with the perfect opportunity to cut the race for third down to two sides, with a win for them on Saturday creating a nine-point gap between themselves and University.

With such a crucial three points of the line, both sides will be gunning for the win. The Falcons’ consistency and ruthless attack - having scored 29 goals this season - should be enough to dislodge a potentially vulnerable Students side.

Prediction - Oak Flats

 

Warilla Wanderers vs Kiama Quarriers @ King Mickey Park 3 pm

The Wanderers picked a valuable three points last weekend with a 1-0 win at Balgownie which sees them rise to eighth on the ladder. On the other hand, Kiama were on the end of a 6-0 drubbing at home to Helensburgh. These results mean there are only two points difference between the sides heading into round 11.

The result against the Thistle was the Quarriers’ seventh defeat of the season meaning they sit just seven points above the potential drop zone. The Quarriers have been struggling defensively this season, with Kiama shipping 4.1 goals per game on average so far - a rate worse than last season’s 11th place finisher University, who conceded 3.1 goals per match last season. This is a record they will need to improve, and Warilla could provide a chance for them to do that. The Wanderers are currently the lowest scorers in the division with just seven goals. Kiama will be hopeful of turning around their defensive troubles against a misfiring Warilla outfit, with a win for the side potentially drawing them level on points with sixth place Picton.

Warilla’s win against Balgownie was just their third of the season, but they will be relishing the opportunity of facing up against a Kiama side which have been leaking goals for fun. A victory for the Wanderers could move them to 14 points - just two points behind fifth-placed University if results fall their way.

With both sides unwilling to drop what could become a crucial three points, this match will likely end in stalemate.

Prediction - Draw

 

Helensburgh Thistle vs Bellambi Rosellas @ Rex Jackson Park 3 pm

The undoubted match of the round comes from Rex Jackson Park where the top two sides in the division go head-to-head. The Thistle continued their free-scoring form with a convincing 6-0 win over Kiama last round while the Rosellas stormed to a 9-0 win against bottom side Berkeley. With just two points separating the sides, this promises to be a blockbuster clash and a great game for neutrals, with the sides combined goals tally equalling a third of the entire competition's tally.

Helensburgh have now won eight league games in a row and have scored 18 goals in their past three league games. They will need to continue this form heading into a match against a Bellambi side who have conceded just five goals this season. The Thistle’s one defeat in the league so far came against Unanderra in round two, which happens to be the only game they failed to find the net. Addison Grinham and Luke van Zyl have been standouts for the Thistle this campaign, contributing 70 per-cent of Helensburgh’s goal tally, but they will have to be at their best to trouble the defensively resolute Rosellas.

Bellambi remain the only unbeaten side in the division even in spite of absences of key players such as Ilija Prenzoski. The one blunder for the Rosellas came in a stalemate against Oak Flats at Keith Bond Oval in round six. However, despite this form, Bellambi have only kept one clean sheet away from home this year which could be a potential issue Andrew Paine’s squad will need to worry about when they head to Rex Jackson Park.

This will no doubt be a hotly contested match with both sides showing great quality this year at both ends of the pitch. Brad Boardman’s men will believe they have the potential to bring an end of the Rosellas’ invincible run, especially considering the character the side showed with a last-minute winner at the same venue back in round five against an Oak Flats side who were unbeaten up to that point. However, if the Rosellas are able to stop the Helensburgh front line, recent history suggests the three points are there’s.

Prediction - Helensburgh

 

Thirroul Thunder vs Balgownie Rangers @ Thomas Gibson Park 3 pm

Two points separate the Thunder and the Rangers going into round 11 after Thirroul grinded to a 1-1 draw against University moving them onto 11 points while Balgownie were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Warilla which saw the Wanderers overtake them on the ladder.

Thirroul have had a recent resurgence which has included positive results against two of the top five sides, beating Oak Flats in round eight and the gutsy 1-1 draw against University last round. Thirroul have also won their last two meetings against the Rangers - scoring five goals in the process. The Thunder are now just five points off fifth place so a victory could send them within a win of that position.

Meanwhile, Balgownie’s winless run has now extended to six matches after their loss to the Wanderers, with the side sitting on nine points after the first ten rounds. A win would be huge for the Rangers and could provide a springboard for the side to start to move up the table.

This will be a tight game with both sides struggling for form this year, but Thirroul’s home advantage should provide just enough to get them over the line.

Prediction - Thirroul

 

Unanderra Hearts vs Picton Rangers @ Unanderra Oval 3 pm

The Hearts’ patchy form continued last weekend with a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Oak Flats which dropped them into fourth, while Picton also were defeated, going down 2-0 to Shell Cove. Both sides will be looking to get back in the winners’ circle this weekend.

Unanderra’s blunders have mostly come away from home this year, taking just eight points from a possible 18 from their away matches this campaign. This precedent suggests the Hearts should focus on making Unanderra Oval a fortress with the side unbeaten at the venue so far this season. Picton’s inconsistency this campaign could provide Unanderra with a great chance to keep that record alive.

The Rangers, however, will be disappointed as the side have now only won one of their last five games. Like Unanderra, they also do not travel well having won just two games away from Hume Oval this season. They will be hoping to improve this record against a stuttering Hearts outfit who have won only two of their last five games.

With Unanderra’s great home record, they will be looking for a response to last week’s disappointment. The Hearts should get their seventh victory of the season in this one.

Prediction - Unanderra

 

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

File photo: Noel Wynn