Picton Rangers vs Oak Flats Falcons @ Hume Oval 8:30 pm

Picton Rangers continued their recent poor run of results going down 2-0 to Unanderra last round, while the Falcons got up against fellow top-five occupier University in a five-goal thriller winning 3-2.

Oak Flats’ victory against the Students made it back-to-back wins for the side, seeing them go nine points clear of University who remain in fifth place. The Falcons’ free-scoring attack has been a trademark of the side this season, having managed 32 goals in just 11 games. A win for the side could see them rise above the second-placed Helensburgh. A side who will have their work cut out on Saturday when they face a Shell Cove side in a rare batch of form. 

The Rangers’ defeat to Unanderra means the side has now lost three games in a row, only scoring one goal in that period. Consequently, they now sit in eighth position, five points off of a finals place. A win for the hosts could see them go into sixth position if Warilla fail to beat the undefeated Bellambi.

The Falcons’ good run of form this season should be sufficient to get their ninth win of the year.

Prediction - Oak Flats

 

Saturday

Warilla Wanderers vs Bellambi Rosellas @ King Mickey Park 3 pm

Warilla and Bellambi both picked up victories in round 11. The Wanderers out-scored Kiama 3-2 while Bellambi edged past Helensburgh 2-1 in a top of the table clash.

It was a huge three points for the Rosellas last weekend as it opened up a four-point gap between themselves and the Thistle in second place. It also extended the side’s unbeaten run to 11 games, bettering the streak made by last season’s champions Coniston - who managed to go the first ten rounds unbeaten.

Warilla have had a resurgence in recent weeks, having won three out of their last five games. This has seen the side shoot to within two points of fifth-placed University. The Wanderers goalscoring improvement has been at the forefront of the side’s recent purple patch, with last weekend the first time since September 2018 the side have scored three times in a game. They will have a tough task continuing this form when they face up to a strong Bellambi side.

Bellambi, however, will be confident of winning their 11th game in a row but it won’t come easy against a revived Wanderers team.

Prediction - Bellambi

 

University vs Balgownie Rangers @ Kooloobong Oval 3 pm

The Students were narrowly defeated by Oak Flats in round 11 going down 3-2 at Keith Bond Oval, while Balgownie had a much better time, getting up 2-1 at Thirroul.

University’s defeat to Oak Flats was their fifth of the season, meaning the gap between the side and sixth-placed Warilla has narrowed to only two points. This compounds a poor run of form for the Students, in which they have only won two of their last five games - conceding more than half of their goals this season during that period. They will hope to get back to winning ways against the Rangers who sit in seventh, with a University win potentially moving them within four points of fourth-placed Unanderra.

Balgownie’s win against the Thunder ended a six-game winless run for the side and was their third victory of the season. When the sides met in round one, the Rangers went down 3-0. They will be looking to rebuild their positive record against the Students, having won both games last season including a 5-1 thumping in round 15. A win for Balgownie would send them within two points of their opponents.

Both sides are in desperate need of three points and will be going all out for the win. University’s positive record at home this season - having only lost once to date at Kooloobong Oval - should be enough to see them over the line.

Prediction - University

 

Helensburgh Thistle vs Shell Cove @ Rex Jackson Park 3 pm

The Thistle were narrowly defeated in round 11 going down 2-1 in a top of the table clash to Bellambi while Shell Cove got up 3-0 against bottom side Berkeley.

Helensburgh’s loss on Saturday was just their second of the season and ended an eight-game winning run for the side. They are now four points behind leaders Bellambi however and a defeat this weekend could see the gap extend to seven points, which could put one hand on the title for Bellambi. However, the Thistle have enjoyed recent fixtures against Shell Cove - winning their last three fixtures and scoring 14 goals in the process. They will hope to continue this trend in round 12.

However, Shell Cove are coming into the match off their first back-to-back victories since July 2018. The side have also kept two clean sheets in a row for the first time this season, which is something they were unable to manage the entirety of last campaign. This recent upturn in form has seen the side rise to tenth position - seven points clear of the potential drop zone. A win for this revived Shell Cove side could see them go level on points with seventh-placed Balgownie.

Helensburgh will be devastated after last weekend’s loss and will be looking to get back to the free-scoring form they have become accustomed to this year and against Shell Cove, the Thistle could find that form once again.

Prediction - Helensburgh

 

Thirroul Thunder vs Kiama Quarriers @ Thomas Gibson Park 3 pm

Thirroul and Kiama both suffered defeats in round 11, meaning they are still separated by just two points on the ladder. The Thunder narrowly lost 2-1 to Balgownie, while the Quarriers went down 3-2 to Warilla.

Thirroul currently sit in ninth position having struggled for goals this season, scoring just 14. Half of the Thunder’s defeats this season have come by just a one-goal margin highlighting the close call nature of many of the side’s losses this season. A win for Thirroul could move them within a point of Warilla.

The Quarriers’ defeat on Saturday saw the side drop into 11th place, with the side having now lost four of their five previous games. They are in desperate need of a victory, which could put them level on points with seventh-placed Balgownie. Kiama will be confident of doing this, having got up in the fixture earlier this year with a 2-0 win.

Both sides have struggled for goals this season, with their combined tally less than that of the third-placed Oak Flats. With so much on the line, neither side will be willing to risk losing in this one.

Prediction - Draw

 

Unanderra Hearts vs Berkeley Sports @ Unanderra Oval 3 pm

What a difference a year can make. Last year, the sides were separated by just four points at the bottom of the table, but in the most recent round, Unanderra returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory against Picton which keeps them in the top four, while Berkeley slumped to their ninth defeat of the season with a 3-0 loss to Shell Cove. The last time the sides met was a nine-goal thriller with the Hearts prevailing in a 5-4 win.

Unanderra’s victory against the Rangers turned around a poor run of form in which the side had lost two of their last five games. Despite having the equal worst defensive record of any side in the top five, they have lost just two games this year. They will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when they play host to the Goats who currently sit in bottom position. A win for the side could see them go within a point of second-placed Helensburgh if the Thistle fail to pick up three points against an in-form Shell Cove.

Berkeley are now seven points adrift at the bottom of the division after gaining only two points over the opening 11 rounds. They will need to start picking up points if they want any hope of avoiding last position. They will look to this for a boost which could push the side to their first win of the campaign.

Both sides could really use the three points as they try to move towards their respective targets. The Hearts’ unbeaten record at home and positive form this season, however, suggest another three points for the home side.

Prediction - Unanderra

 

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

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