PeopleCare District League Round 17 Preview

*Round 16 fixtures were Postponed due to bad weather; all previous weeks’ results were from round 15.

Saturday 13 July

Shell Cove FC vs Kiama Quarriers FC @ Barrack Heights Sports Field

Shell Cove conceded in the dying minutes to go down to University 2-1 last time out and will be looking to bounce back with a win following a four-game winless run. Their defence at home is better than what it is on the road, with the Cove conceding just 19 of their 44 goals at their ground, something that could help them against an out of-form Kiama side.

The Quarriers are on a six-game winless run, with their last three points coming in round nine against Berkeley. In this period, they have conceded an average of 3.3 goals a game, including six at home to Helensburgh in round 10. Although, for a team with such a high number of goals conceded, they have scored seven goals in this time, which is what they will need to focus on if they are to push above Shell Cove on the table.

This 10^th vs 11^th clash could be a certainty of safety for next season. With both teams needing a win, Shell Cove may want it a bit more following the agonising loss to the students.

Prediction: Shell Cove

 

Picton Rangers vs University FC @ Hume Oval

The Bushpigs are back at Hume Oval this week looking to make amends to the 5-0 drubbing University handed to them back in round six at Kooloobong Oval. With their positive goal-scoring record in Picton in their favour - scoring eight in their last three - it could help them to a much needed win.

Whereas for University, their record on the road is four wins from eight games, keeping two clean sheets in this time - with their only other clean sheet of the season coming against Picton. A win for the students could see them continue the pressure on Unanderra in fourth place - who they are still yet to play on July 24. But a loss for Jake Howard’s men could see them slip a little too close to Thirroul for their liking if the Thunder can get over Berkeley on Sunday.

With every point crucial for the run in the finals, University’s determination to play finals football may be the desire to get them over the line in this game.

Prediction: University

 

Unanderra Hearts vs Balgownie Rangers @ Unanderra Oval

Unanderra’s loss to Thirroul last time out allowed the students to close the gap to just three points between fourth and fifth. The Hearts have now drifted nine points away from Oak Flats in third but can close that gap if the Falcons fall to Bellambi. They have picked up 19 out of a possible 24 points at home which is far better than their away record- grabbing just nine points out of a potential 21.

The Rangers left with a point last time these sides met and will be looking to get over the line in this one following the Hearts’ recent games. With no Abdul Lawal this time round - with the former South Coast United player scoring a brace against the Hearts - they may need to look at their next best goal-scorer in Abdullah Chhipa who netted twice against Kiama last round.

Despite picking up two points from nine in their last three games, the Hearts desperation to prevent trailing teams from taking their spot in the finals should be enough to help them to the three points in this one.

Prediction: Unanderra

 

Bellambi FC vs Oak Flats Falcons @ Elizabeth Park

With the match of the round in play here, top placed Bellambi take on third placed Oak Flats at Elizabeth Park. The two teams’ last encounter ended in an entertaining two-all draw and the Rosellas will be all but looking vengeful when they host the Falcons. Still yet to lose a game, Bellambi’s hot-streak in the league continues to 15 games and will certainly kill off Oak Flats from any title hopes should they get the win in this one.

Whereas for the Falcons, six wins on the run. They’re in fine form and eager to topple over the unbeaten Rosellas for the first time this season. With 21 goals in six games, and an average of 3.5 goals a game, there is no doubt in saying that Oak Flats could have the potential to win this time round.

But with 10 clean sheets in 15 games and with the chance to have one hand on the league title, Bellambi may just be that little bit stronger at home.

Prediction: Bellambi

 

Helensburgh Thistle FC vs Warilla Wanderers @ Rex Jackson Park

The Thistle continued to show their worth for the title with a comfortable 4-0 win over Berkeley. Sitting just four points behind Bellambi in first means they could close the gap should the Rosellas go down to Oak Flats, but if Bellambi win, Helensburgh will go to outright second should they beat Warilla. It was another comfortable win for Brad Boardman’s man last time against the Wanderers with a 4-0 at King Mickey Park and will definitely be confident in doing it again at home.

The Wanderers fell just short from snatching a point over Picton at Hume Oval last round. With finals maybe a little too far out of their reach (nine points to be exact), there still is a chance but will need to turn this poor run of results around should they want any part in the photo-finishing for fifth place at seasons end. But something that would definitely need to change if this were to happen is their goal-scoring record this season - averaging just under a goal a game - the second worse in the league.

Despite the Wanderers slightly better defensive record compared to their attack (seventh best in the league) - the 64 goals scored and 4.3 on average a game record for the Thistle should outclass them on this occasion.

Prediction: Helensburgh

 

Sunday 14 July

Berkeley Sports FC vs Thirroul Thunder FC @ Berkeley Sports and Social Club

The Goats return home following four away games which ended in four losses. This takes their tally of total losses up to 13 this season. Their two points this campaign have both come at home against Warilla and Balgownie which should see some positive signs when they take on sixth place Thirroul. The last encounter against the Thunder was a tight 2-1 loss - something that could have easily gone towards a Berkeley win.

But for the Thunder, they’ve started to find some form. With three wins in their last four games - including a nil-all draw with Bellambi - continues their surge into finals football. They are four points behind University in fifth and a win here would see them continue the pressure if the students win or close the gap to just one point if the students lose - setting up an interesting run home and final day when they host them in round 21.

With their season on the line, every game is a must win and that desire will boast Thirroul to keep their finals hopes alive.

Prediction: Thirroul

 

Preview by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

File Photo: Noel Wynn