ILLAWARRA MERCURY PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 21 PREVIEW

Saturday 17 August

Coniston FC vs Bulli FC @ JJ Kelly Park – 2:30pm

Coniston’s poor run of form continued last round, with the side falling to a 1-0 defeat against bottom-placed Fernhill at Ray Robinson Field in their sixth straight loss. Jeff Allport’s side need one point from their last two fixtures to mathematically ensure safety but a loss against Bulli could see the side slip to tenth if South Coast United can nab a win over Woonona. However, the side will need to sort out their defensive issues if they are to grab a result against Bulli, with the side conceding 16 goals across their last six matches while only netting four.

Meanwhile Bulli will be hoping to close out their season on as strong a note as possible after claiming the Bert Bampton Cup with a 1-0 win over Wollongong Olympic last Saturday. While the side can no longer make the top five after a 2-1 loss to Olympic last round – missing out on finals for the first time since 2008 – the side will be looking to chase down Port Kembla and claim a seventh-place finish. However, Bulli will need to overturn their own poor league form to grab a result, with the side winless in three matches.

Neither side could break the deadlock when they faced off in Round 10, with both sides leaving Balls Paddock with a point each in a 0-0 draw. While both sides will be aiming to see out their season as strongly as possible, Bulli’s recent win might be just enough of a push for the side to claim victory.

Prediction – Bulli FC

Wollongong United vs Cringila Lions @ Macedonia Park – 2:30pm

Wollongong United have moved within one point of securing finals football after running out 5-2 winners over Port Kembla at Wetherall Park last round. The side sits in fourth heading into the penultimate round – two points ahead of sixth-placed Tarrawanna – with a win potentially being enough to secure finals football for the side if the Blueys fail to get the job done against Corrimal. The final stretch of the campaign has seen a strong push from United, with the side claiming four wins in their last five matches as they have closed the gap between themselves and the top three, with a win against Cringila potentially enough to sneak the side ahead of Albion Park if the White Eagles fail to get a point against Fernhill.

Meanwhile Cringila will also be keeping an eye on the Fernhill fixture after falling to a 2-1 loss to Woonona last round at Crehan Park. Stuart Beedie’s side lie two points ahead of the Foxes in second-last and while a Cringila win could be enough to secure safety, a loss could see the Lions slip into last heading into the final round of the season if the Foxes can nab a win. Cringila have been struggling hard in recent weeks, with the side last picking up three points in Round 15, with the side only picking up one point in their last five matches.

It was a 1-1 draw in the last Macedonian derby between the two sides in Round 10, with Wollongong United’s Shane Murray and Cringila’s Aleksandar Prentoski finding the scoresheet in what was Stuart Beedie’s first point as Cringila coach. However, with both sides having morphed significantly in the intervening rounds, Wollongong United’s recent form should be just enough to tip the match in their favor this time around.

Prediction – Wollongong United

Wollongong Olympic vs Port Kembla FC @ PCYC – 2:30pm

Wollongong Olympic wrapped up their first league title since 1994 last round thanks to a last-minute 2-1 win over Bulli at Balls Paddock, with Mark Every scoring a dramatic winner to seal the title for Olympic with two rounds remaining. However, it was not all roses for George Antoniou’s side, falling 1-0 to Bulli a week later in the Bert Bampton Cup final. While Olympic cannot be pushed off the top spot, the side will be aiming to keep their form running into the finals and ensure the side is at full-strength heading into September.

Meanwhile Port Kembla will be playing for their season when they line up against Olympic, with the side’s 5-2 loss to Wollongong United all but eliminating them from the finals race. Port Kembla sit five points off fifth-placed Woonona with two rounds to go and need to pick up a win against Olympic and hope the Sharks and Tarrawanna fail to pick up points to keep themselves in the hunt heading into the final round. The side was picking up pace before their last round defeat to United, with Steven Dimitrievski’s side going four league games unbeaten before their clash with United.

Wollongong Olympic claimed all three points the last time these sides faced off in Round 10, with John Martinoski and Yusuke Ueda firing Olympic to a 2-1 win at Wetherall Park. While Olympic will be taking their foot slightly off the pedal in the final two weeks, the side should still have enough to get past a desperate Port Kembla side attempting to remain in the finals race.

Prediction – Wollongong Olympic

Albion Park White Eagles vs Fernhill FC @ Terry Reserve – 3pm

Albion Park kept themselves in the hunt for second place last round, firing past Tarrawanna Blueys 4-1 at Tarrawanna Oval to move within one point of Corrimal Rangers. Paul Carter’s side are unbeaten in six matches but will look to wrap up a finals place with a point against the bottom-placed Fernhill, with a win potentially sending the side past the Rangers. However, a loss could see the side slip behind Wollongong United and face a late challenge to their second chance status.

However, the White Eagles face a desperate Fernhill side who are keen to take the relegation battle to the final round after downing Coniston 1-0 last round. Bruce Tilt’s squad sit two points off 11^th placed Cringila heading into the penultimate round and a loss could consign them to bottom spot if the Lions beat Wollongong United. However, a Fernhill win could see the Foxes pass the Lions and sit within three points of ninth-placed Coniston if results fall their way. That being said, the Foxes will need something special to get past their top-five opposition – with Fernhill yet to pick up a point against top-five opposition this season.

Albion Park just managed to get past the Foxes in Round 10, with a Bryce Daenell own goal and a Cody Wehmeyer strike enough to give the White Eagles a 2-1 win at Ray Robinson Field. With Fernhill’s season on the line, this match could prove to be another close encounter, but Albion Park’s home advantage should be just enough to see them get the three points.

Prediction – Albion Park White Eagles

Sunday 18 August

Woonona FC vs South Coast United @ Ocean Park – 2:30pm

Woonona’s finals quest grabbed a huge boost last round, with the side holding off Cringila in a 2-1 win at Crehan Park, keeping the Sharks just ahead of a chasing Tarrawanna Blueys side. Dan McGoldrick’s side lie one point ahead of the Blueys and know a result against South Coast United could go a long way to securing finals football for the side, but anything less than a win for the Sharks could all but prove fatal to their campaign if the Blueys are able to push past Corrimal. Woonona have only lost one match in their last five – a 1-0 loss to Corrimal in Round 19 – but with the side facing off against Tarrawanna in the final round, a result against SCU is crucial to keep themselves in the mix.

However, the Sharks are facing a tough task against an SCU side who are unbeaten in nine matches, with Greg Valic’s side picking up a 1-1 draw against Corrimal last round to extend their streak. Despite the unbeaten run – in which only three of the nine matches have been victories for the side – SCU remain in the relegation battle, with the side in tenth, four points ahead of bottom-placed Fernhill. A win for SCU will ensure their Premier League status for another season and potentially push the side past Coniston, but a loss could see the side overtaken by Cringila and potentially one point ahead of the Foxes heading into the final round.

A lone goal from Woonona’s Khalid Alali was all that separated the sides in Round 10, with Woonona taking a vital 1-0 win in a match which was in the midst of the Sharks’ five match winning streak. However, the strong form of SCU will make it an extremely tough match for the Sharks to grab all three points from, with a draw looking very much on the cards here.

Prediction – Draw

Corrimal Rangers vs Tarrawanna Blueys @ Memorial Park – 3pm

Corrimal’s late season title charge came to an end last round, with the side held by South Coast United in a 1-1 draw at Ian McLennan Park, handing the title to Wollongong Olympic. Rob Jonoski’s side will now be aiming to lock up second place in the final two matches of the regular season, with the Rangers sitting a single point ahead of third-placed Albion Park. A win for the Rangers will ensure the side gets a second chance come finals time but a loss could see the side slip behind the White Eagles and potentially fall within one point of fourth-placed Wollongong United. Corrimal will be looking to keep their solid form running into September, with the side unbeaten in five matches, picking up three wins along the way.

Meanwhile Tarrawanna missed a huge chance to put themselves in a good position for finals football last round, with the side falling to a 4-1 defeat to Albion Park at Tarrawanna Oval. Peter Willis’ side lie in sixth place heading into the penultimate round – one point behind fifth-placed Woonona – but with the Blueys taking on the Sharks in the final round, a win against Corrimal is vital to keep themselves in the mix. The Blueys could be eliminated from finals contention with a loss if Woonona and Wollongong United pick up victories but a win could see the side move as high as fourth.

Tarrawanna picked up all three points when these two sides last faced in Round 10, with Haydyn Lloyd and Stephen Lloyd finding the net for the Blueys in a 2-0 win at Tarrawanna Oval. While Corrimal will be looking to ease themselves into the finals, Tarrawanna might be able to take advantage of the Rangers desire to stay fit and nab a vital victory which could help decide the top five.

Prediction – Tarrawanna Blueys

Preview by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt