Round 22 Preview

Shell Cove FC vs Berkeley Sports FC @ Barrack Heights Sportsfield

The Cove picked up their second draw in two weeks when they held finals hopefuls, Picton to a scoreless draw. It marks their fifth clean sheet of the season and are now the first team to keep the Bushpigs scoreless at Hume Oval – an impressive result since Picton’s turn of form midway through the season. The point does see them stay in 10^th spot but could push as high as eighth with a win here should Balgownie and Warilla both lose.

As for Berkeley, their miracle to defeat the undefeated Bellambi couldn’t be done but they would be happy with their performance as they held out the Rosellas until the 74^th minute and went on to lose 1-0. Despite their improved defensive qualities from the week prior, the Goats are still lacking in attacking qualities – where they have only scored one goal in the last five outings.

With Berkeley’s performance against a strong Bellambi side last round, this encounter may turn out to be an interesting one. But, based on the week’s prior, Shell Cove may push ahead to finish their season on a positive.

Prediction: Shell Cove

 

Picton Rangers vs Unanderra Hearts @ Hume Oval

Picton missed the chance to jump University into sixth last round when they had a nil-all draw with Shell Cove, making their chance of finals football even harder. Now, they will need to beat the Hearts as well as hoping Oak Flats beat University and Balgownie beat Thirroul. Any other result and their campaign will be finished. Some positives going into this one is that it is at home – a ground where they average 1.7 goals per game – something they may need to rely on to help them to the three points.

Last weekend the Hearts were blown away by a steamrolling Oak Flats side who beat them 5-0. They missed the chance to push into third and will now be certainly finishing in fourth with their poor goal differential compared to the Falcons. They are still six points ahead of fifth so will not need to rely on falling behind them but will definitely be looking at building some momentum going into the finals. Dom Magill missed the game last weekend so his inclusion may just be the spark they need.

Last time the teams met, Unanderra ran out as 2-0 winners at Unanderra Oval in round 11 and it may not be any different this time as the Hearts will be looking for a win to boast their finals confidence.

Prediction: Unanderra

 

Kiama Quarriers FC vs Warilla Wanderers @ Kiama Sporting Complex

The Quarriers got back to the winning circle last round when they stunned the competition by downing Helensburgh, 2-1 at Rex Jackson Oval. Kyle Jelliffe and Chris Christodoulou scored their goals in the 40^th and 43^rd minutes as they took their overall points tally to 16. A win against the Wanderers and a Shell Cove loss could see them jump into tenth to end the season. Kiama will be hoping their overall attacking form will guide them to a victory in this one with the Quarriers pushing up to eighth in attack this season – which isn’t too bad for a team sitting in 11^th spot.

Warilla have picked up four points in their last two games to push up into eighth on the table. Their one-all draw with Balgownie in round 21 keeps them above both the Rangers and Shell Cove as they look to finish their campaign as high up the table as possible. The Wanderers are averaging just under one goal a game in the last five weeks but have conceded 11 in this time frame. They may need to work on tightening up at the back if they want to end their campaign with a win.

Despite both teams’ season finished before this game is played, Kiama looks like they’ll play with a bit more freedom, as they showed last week against the Thistle.

Prediction: Kiama

 

Bellambi FC vs Helensburgh Thistle FC @ Elizabeth Park

The Rosellas picked up the premiership trophy last round, downing Berkeley 1-0 away from home. This marks a stellar campaign for Andrew Paine’s men as they are still yet to lose a game. But that is certainly in doubt this weekend when they play the closest team to them on the table in Helensburgh. Ben Ellul scored the winner against the Goats as he takes his overall tally of goals scored out to 13 – the most in the Bellambi camp. If Ellul can continue his form against the Burgh this weekend they may just finish the whole season without a loss.

As for the Thistle, they suffered a shock loss at the hands of Kiama last weekend, going down 2-1. Although, it didn’t change their position on the table, they have already wrapped up second spot on an impressive campaign to set up a home major semi-final. Addison Grinham picked up his 22^nd goal of 2019 and all but securing the District League golden-boot in his first season of the competition. Going into this one, the Thistle have now dropped five points in their last two games, so this game is a must win to returning to form at this stage of the season.

Despite the Rosellas dropping off a little bit in recent weeks, they should be strong enough at home to complete their unbeaten season and lift the minor premiership trophy.

Prediction: Bellambi

 

Balgownie Rangers vs Thirroul Thunder FC @ Judy Masters Oval

Last weekend for Balgownie ended in yet another one-all draw, their third in a row. Although, these games don’t help the Rangers too much in climbing up the table, with them still sitting in ninth spot, one point behind Warilla and one in front of Shell Cove. Depending on their result against the Thunder and the other team’s outcomes to their games, the Rangers could finish either in these positions after next round. The Rangers have a slightly better goal differential than both sides, with their attack outplaying the others with 27 goals in 2019.

For Thirroul, a win secures finals football. They moved into the top five for the first time this season when they downed University, 1-0 at Thomas Gibson Park. Angus Nicol turned hero when he scored the winner in the 54^th minute as the Thunder jumped the students on points. At least one point out of this game will see them finish fifth, the same as last season. But a loss could potentially see them drop to as low as seventh with both University and Picton knocking on their door.

It’s a must win game for the Thunder, and with the confidence of beating the students last weekend, may just be the boast they need to grab the win.

Prediction: Thirroul

 

University FC vs Oak Flats Falcons @ Kooloobong Oval

The students dropped out of the top five for the just the second time this season, with the last time they fell out was in round five. Their 1-0 loss to Thirroul makes things a lot harder in order for them to jump back into the spot they’ve kept for so long. They need nothing other than a win and will need to rely on Balgownie beating Thirroul and Unanderra getting a result against Picton. The students will get the services of Doug Woodiwiss back this weekend, with the captain looking to lead his side to a finals series.

But in University’s way is a dominant Oak Flats side not afraid of ruining the party for teams looking to get into positions they want. They put five past Unanderra last weekend to ruin their hopes of finishing third as they set up a major semi-final date with Helensburgh. The Falcons’ great goal differential in the league has secured the third placed finish and will be looking to take out the students to make it two wins in a row leading into finals. Hayato Sadamori netted twice in the five-goal haul and will definitely be the player to watch out for in this encounter.

Despite University’s must-win contest, the Falcons may just come and ruin the chance of the students having the small hope of playing finals football.

Prediction: Oak Flats

 

Preview by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

File Photo: Noel Wynn