Saturday 6th August

Thirroul FC (4th - 28pts - 4 games) v Berkeley Sports (8th - 21pts - 5 games) @ Thomas Gibson Park

Whilst Thirroul appear to have a finals spot within their grasp with four rounds to play, they are in a bit of late season slumber having picked up just the one point from their last two games. The Thunder will need to be at the top of their game when they welcome Berkeley to Gibson Park as the visitors still have a slender chance of sneaking into finals contention with a game in hand over the home side.

Thirroul don't have an easy run home with Corrimal and Fernhill still to play so three points in this one would be considered imperative by Coach Garth Bowley if his team is to keep ahead of the rest.

On the other hand, Berkeley, still smarting from a last minute loss to Oak Flats in Round 18, will have Coach Paul Meares looking to snatch the three points on offer and a win in their catch up game v Bellambi would put them right in the mix for a spot in the end of season games.
The points were shared in a 1-1 draw in the previous meeting this season so this could be another tight one.

 

Tip: Thirroul FC

Oak Flats Falcons (9th - 20pts - 4 games) v Corrimal Rangers (1st - 52pts - 4 games)@ Keith Bond Oval

The Falcons have the unenviable task of bringing to an end the fantastic 17 game winning streak that Corrimal Rangers bring to Keith Bond with the visitors knowing that a single point today will see them crowned as League Champions with the ultimate prize of a return to the IPL.

Oak Flats should still be 'bouncing' from their win over Berkeley in Round 18 where Josh DeGouveia was the hero in the seven goal thriller with a super hat-trick including a last gasp winner.

The Rangers have been scoring goals for fun all season and it is going to take an outstanding effort from the home side if their charge to the title is to be halted temporarily.

 

Tip: Corrimal to clinch the title which has been beckoning for some time.

 

Helensburgh Thistle (7th - 21pts - 4 games) v Fernhill (3rd - 34pts - 5 games) @ Rex Jackson Park

Helensburgh are just about out of the finals race and are probably playing for pride with the visit of Fernhill on Saturday.

There wasn't a great deal between the sides when they last met in Round 8 (Fernhill 1-0) but based on current form the Thistle are going to have to raise their game if they are to stop the impressive run of their visitors.

Fernhill are still fighting for the runners up spot after they shared the spoils with Warilla Wanderers in a catch up game last time out. The Foxes have been consistent all season and are a very hard side to break down at the back which could be the difference on Saturday as both sides haven't had much trouble scoring goals (33 each) but defensively is where the difference lies (Burgh 29 against - Fernhill 13).

An interesting sidelight to this encounter is the appearance of Andy Keep playing in the Foxes colours. Keep switched camps from Helensburgh in mid-season and has scored six times since his move whereas he found the back of the net just twice when playing for the Burgh early on.

 

Tip: Fernhill

 

Wests Illawarra (11th - 13pts - 5 games) v Bellambi (12th - 7pts - 6 games) v  @ Unanderra Oval

This is a crunch game in the Round of 19 at the 'wrong end' of the table with relegation high on the agenda in this encounter.

A draw would probably be enough to keep Wests safe for another season but for the visitors, three points is paramount for the Rosellas and with a game in hand over the home side, Bellambi could escape the quick sand yet.

Both clubs have had tough seasons and the two Coaches (Arthur Kinnas - Wests & Greg Smart - Bellambi) will be working hard this week and on match day to ensure that they have there respective charges primed for one last supreme effort.

Wests got the better of Bellambi by three goals to one in the clash at Elizabeth Park in Round 8 where the visitors got two goals in the last 15 minutes to snatch the precious three points on offer that day.

 

Tip: Draw

 

University FC (10th - 16pts - 5 games) v Balgownie Rangers (6th - 22pts - 5 games) @ Kooloobong Oval

With neither of these two sides having played for three weeks, they will be itching to get back on the park to finish off their seasons although the rain that's hanging around at the moment could put a damper on things.

UOW FC haven't had the best of seasons but they will be looking to get thtough these last five games in a positive fashion and finish the seson on a high.

The three points on offer here are probably more important for the Rangers as a win in this one coupled with a good result in their catch up game could see the visitors re-ignite their semi's chances.

Bally won the first round encounter quite comfortably (5-0) so their coach, Jamie Dummett will be looking for more of the same whilst his counterpart in the other Technical Area, Brendon Fotheringham will be seeking retribution from his side with numbers back on deck after the Uni Holidays.

 

Tip: Balgownie Rangers

 

Warilla Wanderers (2nd - 37pts - 5 games) v Kiama Quarriers (5th - 28pts - 4 games) @ King Mickey Park
The last game in Round 19 has a local derby feel about it with Kiama Quarriers makeing the short journey to King Mickey Park.
Even though they are a long way off the pace in terms of promotion, Warilla have had quite a decent season too-date and will be looking to complete 'the double' over their visitors and shore up second spot on the table in the process.

Kiama too would be really pleased with how their season has gone and even though they have to play the top two sides in the run home they should be good enough to pick up enough points to ensure their participation in the 'Final Series' games.

The form of both sides has been good coming into this fixture, whilst the Wanderers had a draw with 3rd placed Fernhill last weekend, Kiama had a resounding three goals to nil victory over fellow finals contenders, Thirroul last time out.

 

Tip: Warilla Wanderers

Report by David Naylor

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia (Library image)