Saturday 20th August

Berkeley Sports (6th - 27pts - 3 games) v Corrimal Rangers (1st - 58pts - 2 games) @ Berkeley Sportsground

A Chris Rowlan brace in Berkeley's terrific away win last week at Kiama (2-1) has given them a great shot at finishing the season in the top five although they are going to have to do it the hard way with two tough games against Corrimal & Fernhill in Rds 20 & 21 to come.

Sandwiched in between (21/8) is a deferred game against Thirroul FC who sit one point in front and is a definite must win game if the Sports are to have any chance of sneaking into the top five.

From Berkeley's perspective it will be a case of one game at a time but it would be handy if they could get something out of Saturday's assignment against League Champions, Corrimal Rangers.

The Home side will find this task difficult as the Rangers, even though they have run away with the Premiership in 2016, will be desperate to finish the season undefeated. They were ruthless last week against Thirroul, winning in emphatic fashion by six goals to nil with top goal scorer, Mark Picciolini leading the way with a fantastic four goal haul.

Tip: Corrimal Rangers 

 

Thirroul FC (4th - 28pts - 3 games) v Fernhill (3rd - 40pts - 3 games) @ Thomas Gibson Park

After being beaten soundly by Corrimal Rangers last Sunday, Thirroul now find themselves locked in a bit of 'dog fight' for a spot in the Final Series in a couple of weeks time.

This is a big weekend for the Home Side with a first up encounter with Fernhill on Saturday followed by a pivotal match up with Berkeley Sports 24 hours later and one would think that four points from these two games would ensure that the Thunder will be playing Finals matches in September.

Saturday's test no doubt will be the toughest as the Foxes, sitting in third spot, arrive at Gibson Park in hot form having scored thirteen goals in their past two games and not conceding any (Oak Flats 4-0 & Bellambi 9-0). Japanese import, Kazuma Nagaishi was the star of the midweek thumping of Bellambi with an impressive six goals and will obviously be a player that Thirroul will have to watch closely although Fernhill do have firepower all over the park.

Tip: Fernhill

 

Oak Flats Falcons (9th - 20pts - 2 games) v Wests Illawarra (11th - 13pts - 3 games) @ Keith Bond Oval

This is a game with not much at stake for the Falcons who are out of finals contention and playing for pride. Oak Flats were disappointing in their 4-0 loss to Fernhill last time out and need to lift their game against Wests who will be looking to get something from this game to stave of the threat of relegation.

Wests fell to a narrow 0-2 loss to Helensburgh at home last week to continue their wretched second half of the season which is yet to yield a single point and need to muster something special here in their quest to remain in the League for 2017.

Tip: Oak Flats Falcons

Helensburgh Thistle (8th - 24pts - 3 games) v Balgownie Rangers (7th - 25pts - 3 games) @ Rex Jackson Park

Both sides in this match up still have a mathematical chance of making the 'semis' but are probably going to need at least seven points from their remaining three matches to be in with a shout.

The Thistle have got a more difficult run in than Bally as their two remaining matches after today's affair are against Fernhill(H) and Warilla(A) whilst the Rangers have upcoming fixtures against University (A) and Oak Flats (H).

Helensburgh had a confidence boosting win over Wests Illawarra in Rd 20 whilst Balgownie beat Bellambi (4-1) on the Saturday before losing to Warilla (0-4) a day later.

Fixtures between these two sides are generally pretty close with Balgownie getting the nod (2-1) in the corresponding Round 10 game. Expect this one to be no different and a draw would not surprise.

Tip: Helensburgh Thistle

 

Bellambi (12th - 7pts - 3 games) v Warilla Wanderers (2nd - 43pts - 3 games) @ Elizabeth Park

Even though it is mathematically possible for Bellambi to avoid the Wooden Spoon, the Rosellas appear to have given up the ghost if their demoralising 0-9 loss to Fernhill on Tuesday is anything to go by.

With the visit of potential Runners Up, Warilla Wanderers there does not appear to be any respite and sadly, Bellambi's demise could be sealed by 4.45pm on Saturday.

The Wanderers are in hot form coming into this fixture, picking up six points from their double header against University and Balgownie last weekend scoring 11 goals in the process. Martin Castelli scoring four goals across the two games including a hat-trick against UOW FC on Saturday whilst Adam White score three against Balgownie after missing the Uni game.

Bellambi took the game right up to Warilla in Round 10 before losing out by the odd goal in three but there does not appear to be any let up here for the home side and expect the 'goals for' column for Warilla to receive another boost in this one.

Tip: Warilla Wanderers

 

University FC (10th - 19pts - 3 games) v Kiama Quarriers (5th - 28pts - 3 games) @ Kooloobong Oval
Another club playing for pride in the penultimate round is University who have had an inconsistent season to say the least and really need to bounce back after a poor performance against the Wanderers last Saturday.

The home side should find this fixture a little bit easier but will be up against a side that is desperate for three points in there push for a finish in the top five.

Kiama came up short in their game against Berkeley in Round 20, giving their opponents a two goal first half lead which they couldn't quite peg back despite a late Daniel Swinton goal.

The Quarriers have enjoyed quite a good season and would like nothing more than to cap it off with a spot in the finals at season's end. With the two teams sharing the points in a 2-2 draw in their Round 10 contest I expect the Visitors to come up with the goods in this return bout as their is more at stake for Kiama.

Tip: Kiama Quarriers

 

Report by David Naylor

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia