Saturday

Shell Cove vs Warilla Wanderers @ Barrack Heights Sportsfield 3 pm

Warilla and Shell Cove both suffered defeats in Round 12 going down to the two top sides in the division. The Wanderers lost 2-0 to the still unbeaten Bellambi while Shell Cove were battered 10-0 by second-placed Helensburgh.

Warilla currently sit in seventh position on 14 points. The Wanderers’ defeat last round ended a positive run of form the side in which they had won three of their previous four games. They will be confident of getting back to winning ways this weekend after beating Shell Cove 1-0 in the fixture earlier this season between the two sides. A win for Warilla could see them narrow the gap between themselves and the top five to just two points if University are toppled by Kiama on Sunday.

Shell Cove also had a positive run of form before losing last round to the Thistle, winning their last two games before their Round 12 defeat. These results saw the side extend the gap between themselves and bottom-placed Berkeley to seven points. A Shell Cove victory on Saturday potentially rising the side to eighth.

It would be a huge three points if either side were able to get up in this one. However, Warilla’s impressive recent away form - with the side unbeaten in their last three outings - suggests the Wanderers will take the points.

Prediction - Warilla

 

Picton Rangers vs Berkeley Sports @ Hume Oval 3 pm

Berkeley and Picton failed to grab three points last round, with the Rangers going down 4-2 to Oak Flats while the Goats were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Unanderra.

This result compounded a disappointing run of form for Picton in which the side have now lost their last four games. This has seen the Rangers drop to ninth on the table and potentially a defeat away from dropping into 11th. However, Picton will be hopeful of avoiding this, having got up in the reverse fixture 4-0 in Round Two. Three points could see the side into sixth position if results go their way.

Berkeley’s loss last round extended their winless run to 12 games and left the side seven points adrift at the bottom of the division. Berkeley will be looking to take advantage of the Rangers’ recent slump with a win on Saturday as they attempt to secure their first win of the 2019 campaign.

Both sides are in desperate need of a win which would end a poor run of form and potentially re-start their flagging campaigns. However, Picton should have the quality to see off the Goats and claim their fourth victory of the season.

Prediction - Picton

 

Balgownie Rangers vs Oak Flats @ Judy Masters Oval 3 pm

Both of these sides were involved in high-scoring encounters last round - with a total of 13 goals across both fixtures - as the Rangers went down 5-2 to University while Oak Flats got up 4-2 against Picton.

Balgownie currently occupy eighth position having won only three matches this year. This is indicative of the side’s poor recent form, winning just one of their last five games. A win for the home side on Saturday could see them move up to sixth position on the ladder. The Rangers will look towards last season’s record against the Falcons as a catalyst for success. The side went unbeaten across both fixtures - including a 2-1 win back in March 2018.

Oak Flats have now won four of their last five games leaving the side two points behind the second-placed Thistle. Despite this great run of results, however, the Falcons have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those five fixtures. The Falcons will be attempting to do the double over their opponents, having got up 4-3 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

The context suggests that there is bound to be goals in this one, but the Falcons’ consistency so far this campaign should see them gain their fourth win in a row for the second time this year.

Prediction - Oak Flats

 

Unanderra Hearts vs Helensburgh Thistle @ Unanderra Oval 3 pm

In Round 12, Unanderra edged past bottom side Berkeley 2-1 while the Thistle put ten past Shell Cove in their biggest win this campaign.

The Hearts’ victory last weekend made three wins in the past four games. This was a much-needed improvement for Unanderra, having lost two of their previous three games prior to that. A win for the side would see them go within a point of their opponents on Saturday. They will look to their previous meeting with the Thistle back in Round Two for motivation having got up 2-0. It is also the only occasion this season Helensburgh have failed to find the net.

Helensburgh responded well to their Round 11 defeat to Bellambi by thrashing Shell Cove 10-0 at Rex Jackson Park. The Thistle have been ruthless in attacking areas this year, which is reflected in their 53-goal haul - the highest across either division. A victory for the side could see them go within a point of top side Bellambi if the Rosellas lose to Thirroul. Helensburgh have a 100 per cent record away from home this season but the Hearts are also unbeaten at home this year, meaning this encounter between two top five sides could prove to be a memorable encounter as both sides attempt to maintain their respective records and further their claims for a top five spot.

This will be an interesting game with both sides having fantastic credentials going into the match. However, the Thistle’s impeccable away form this year and unparalleled attacking proficiency suggests the side will get the three points in this one.

Prediction - Helensburgh

 

Sunday

Bellambi Rosellas vs Thirroul Thunder @ Elizabeth Park 3 pm

Both Bellambi and Thirroul got up in Round 12, with the Rosellas picking up a 2-0 win against Warilla while the Thunder edged past Kiama 2-1.

The Rosellas stayed unbeaten in the division last weekend with their win at King Mickey Park. They will be hoping to continue that run against a Thunder side they beat 2-1 back in Round Two. However, the side could be plagued by fatigue after their mid-week exit to Bulli in the Bert Bampton Cup, with the game being played at a great intensity despite the Rosellas falling last season’s Premier League champions 2-1.

Meanwhile, the Thunder moved into sixth place with their victory over Kiama. Despite this, the side are currently eight points behind what their total was this time last year. This has been a result of the side’s struggles in front of goal averaging just 1.3 goals per game as opposed to the 2.4 goals per game last season. It will be a tough ask for the side to improve this record when they visit a Bellambi side that have conceded only six goals this campaign - the lowest across either division. However, Thirroul will look to last season’s 1-0 win over the hosts on Sunday as inspiration. This was the only game last season the Rosellas failed to find the net in.

Recent meetings have seen tight affairs between these two, but Bellambi may just be too strong for the Thunder this time around.

Prediction - Bellambi

 

Kiama Quarriers vs University @ Kiama Sporting Complex 3 pm

The Students got back into the winner’s circle last round with a 5-2 win over Balgownie while Kiama slumped to their ninth defeat of the season with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Thirroul.

The Quarriers’ defeat last weekend was their third in a row, seeing them remain in 11th place. Kiama have continued to show significant defensive instability this season, conceding 46 goals which is only two less than the side conceded in the entirety of last season. They will be hoping to reincarnate last season’s record against University, having gained four points from a possible six. A win for Kiama could see them rise to eighth on the table and only five points off their opponents who sit in a finals place.

However, University opened up a five-point gap between themselves and sixth place with their victory over Balgownie last round. The Students will be confident of completing the double over their opponents on Saturday after their 8-1 thumping of the Quarriers in Round Two - which was their biggest victory this season. A win for the side could see them go within four points of the Hearts in fourth place.

University will be confident of gaining three points against a defensively vulnerable Kiama outfit; however, they will have to be wary of the motivation the Quarriers will have going into the match, with the side desperately needing to end a poor run of form.

Prediction - University

 

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_