First Grade:

Major Semi-Final: Bellambi FC vs Oak Flats Falcons @ Elizabeth Park

Bellambi may have used the week off to improve on their performance following their 5-0 drubbing from Helensburgh in the last game of the season. Despite this, the Rosellas finished the campaign with an impressive 57 points – an undefeated campaign. They also finished with the best defence in the league – beating the next closest team by 12 goals – averaging just under one goal conceded a game. Their main attacking qualities came from Ben Ellul who scored 13 goals in his debut year for the club.

For the Falcons, they overcame a dominant Helensburgh outfit for the first time this year when they ended with a 2-0 victory at PCYC. This was Oak Flats’ third win in a row and haven’t conceded a goal in this time – also becoming just the second team to keep the Thistle scoreless in a match. Hayato Sadamori scored the first goal on the day which takes him up to 10 goals for the season – including four in these three games. If he continues his fine form in front of goal, the Falcons may have more of a chance in this Grand-Final qualifier.

The two encounters in 2019 ended in a two-all draw in round six and a 2-1 Bellambi win in round 17. This clash will have the ability to lean either way but if Bellambi can bounce back to their best, they may take the first spot on the final day.

Prediction: Bellambi

 

Minor Semi-Final Final: Helensburgh Thistle FC vs Thirroul Thunder FC @ King Mickey Park

The Thistle succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the qualifying final to Oak Flats last weekend, failing to score for just the second time this season. Brad Boardman’s men will now take the harder run towards the final day, looking to improve on their performance against the Falcons. Brad Watts looked the most dangerous up the left wing to create something for the Burgh and will undoubtedly be the one to watch out for in this encounter.

It took the Thunder 124 minutes to overcome a stingy Unanderra side that would not bow out, even with 10-men. A Daniel Arthur penalty in the second half of extra-time was followed by the stoppage time winner from substitute, Josh Bond to help them advance to the next round of finals. Nathan Mucci was instrumental in the Thunders’ win over the Hearts as the midfielder bagged an assist in the victory and will be eager to continue on with his great-form against the Burgh this weekend.

The Northern derby never fails to disappoint with the last two games turning out to be crackers between the two sides. Helensburgh got the better of their opponents at home in round seven with a 5-2 win whereas the game in round 18 ended in a two-all draw. The Thunder will have the agonising loss from last finals time against the Burgh in their back of their mind, when a Corey Haines-Grose penalty slammed into the crossbar in the 92^nd minute to send them out of the campaign – something the Thunder will be looking to avenge this time round. But after the tight loss to the Falcons, Helensburgh may just bounce back to end the Thunders season in similar fashion to 2018.

Prediction: Helensburgh

 

Reserve Grade:

Major Semi-Final: Helensburgh Thistle FC vs Thirroul Thunder FC @ King Mickey Park

Helensburgh’s Reserve Grade side enjoyed their week off after an impressive season. They finished on a total of 57 points – six ahead of Thirroul in second. This Burgh side surpassed the competition in best defence as they only conceded 21 goals in the 22 games they had played – only conceding more than two goals in a game twice. Although, despite a solid backline, young midfielder, Reggae Rowley finished second in the goal scorer’s charts with 18 in 21 games – playing all but one game in 2019.

For Thirroul, they advanced to the Major Semi-Final with a 1-0 win over Picton at Macedonia Park last weekend. Oskar Pruks scored the only goal in the match midway through the second-half to continue his goal-scoring form this season as he took his tally up to 17. Pruks also helped his team continue their great run of form with the side now picking up three wins on the trot. A win would see the Thunder enter their fourth straight Grand-Final, winning the previous three.

The two sides last faced each-other in round 18 where Thirroul took away a 2-0 victory thanks to two goals from their player to watch, Pruks. However, the Thistle ended as 3-1 winners in round seven that makes it a win a piece. This game will definitely shape up to be a close encounter as just a solitary goal could be the difference between the sides to grab the first Grand-Final spot.

Prediction: Helensburgh

 

Minor Semi-Final: Picton Rangers vs Oak Flats Falcons @ Elizabeth Park

The Bushpigs were given the second chance after finishing third in the competition as they fell to Thirroul, 1-0 last weekend. They did hold out the best attacking team in the competition until the 64^th minute and didn’t concede another in the contest – something that may boost them in confidence going into this one. The likes of Benjamin Baxter and William McLeod will lead the attack for Picton as they look to bounce back following the loss to the Thunder.

As for the Falcons, they ended University’s finals hopes with a 3-1 win at PCYC on Saturday. Chad Fernandez slotted two penalties in the first half that saw them lead 2-1 at the break. Oak Flats sealed the game however in the 82^nd minute when a Jack Kelton strike put the game beyond the students reach to ensure the side advanced to the Minor Semi-Final. The side are in a similar position to last year – after finishing fifth on the ladder, the Falcons went on to be Grand Finalists, only to lose on the final day.

The sides had a win a piece in the regular season, with Picton prevailing as 4-2 winners in round one whereas Oak Flats left as 2-1 victors in round 12. This game could lean either way, and with finals football, anything is possible. But with the Falcons currently on a three game win streak, they may be able to ride their form to a Grand Final Qualifier.

Prediction: Oak Flats

 

Youth Grade:

Major Semi-Final: Helensburgh Thistle FC vs Balgownie Rangers @ King Mickey Park

Helensburgh finished as champions of Youth Grade for the second season running. This year was a bit harder however, with the side only getting above University by one point, compared to eight points over second placed Coniston last year. Although their results were nothing but extraordinary with the side scoring 123 goals and just conceding 20 – which averages just under six goals a game – a somewhat impressive feat. They also only lost one game (University), and drew another two (University, Shell Cove) whilst relying on Luke Miller up top to score their goals. The striker scored 26 goals in only 13 appearances in Youth Grade – averaging two goals a game.

Balgownie showed exactly why they are in the finals with an impressive win over University. The game was level at one-all up until the 73^rd minute when Thomas Spargo netted twice in a matter of minutes to help them advance to the Grand Final Qualifier. Nathan Bellinato picked up the Rangers’ third goal last weekend and also scored the first time these two teams met. Christopher Hollingswood will be eager to get back to his goal scoring form- with the striker also scoring last time the teams met.

Helensburgh picked up 2-1 wins in both the fixtures in 2019 but will have to still be at their best if they want to make the Grand Final for the second year in a row.

Prediction: Helensburgh

 

Minor Semi-Final: University FC vs Shell Cove FC @ Elizabeth Park

The students went into the last clash as favourites but fell to Balgownie after they conceded two goals in the matter of a minute to go down 3-1. Julian Jansma-Smith picked up their only goal on the day in the 15^th minute as he took his tally out to nine in 15 games. The loss broke the students’ five game winning run – having only conceded once in this time. They will undoubtedly be looking at target man, Aidan Dennis up top as the striker has netted 12 goals since round 16.

Shell Cove continued on their surge into the finals with a 2-1 win over Thirroul. Hayden Soper netted both the Cove’s goals in the 20^th and 34^th minutes but will miss this clash after he was shown red in the second half of the game. The Cove will now look towards their top goal scorers to get back into form, with Alexandar Faughlin scoring on six occasions against Berkeley in round 22 – he’s also missed both clashes with the students this year, which could be the Cove’s ticket into the next week of finals.

University ran away as comfortable victors on both occasions this year with a 5-1 win in round four followed by a 4-1 win in round 15. These results may be an indicator on the result but Shell Cove may not be the team to write off – which could result in a close affair.

Prediction: University

 

Preview by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

File Photo: Noel Wynn