With two top five clashes in round 13 of the Bankstown Umbro premier League competition this weekend, the results of round 13 could have massive ramifications on teams’ positions on the ladder.
Round 13’s Match of the Round sees current league leaders Panania Diggers host an inform Padstow Hornets at Kelso Park.
Earlier, Central Sydney Wolves look to do the league double over Bankstown Sports Strikers as they play at Padstow Park for the second time this season, while Revesby Workers look for an improved performance as they take on Padstow United who look to keep their finals hopes alive.
Elsewhere, Bass Hill Rangers look to climb off the bottom of the ladder at home to Georges River Thistle.
Yagoona Lions have a bye this round.
Match of the Round: Panania Diggers vs Georges River Thistle, 17th June 4pm @ Kelso Park
Previous score: Padstow Hornets 0-0 Panania Diggers – Rd 4, 2023
Padstow Hornets scored four goals late in the second half of their round 12 victory over Bass Hill Rangers as they won the game 6-0, while Panania Diggers come off a 3-0 victory to Revesby Workers in round 12.
Both sides were unable to make clear scoring chances due to strong and structured defence when they met in round 4; in an important fixture for both sides seasons expect more of the same as two strong defensive sides go head-to-head.
Panania Diggers have eased to victory playing the bottom two sides respectively, however they face a much tougher challenge in this match as Padstow Hornets are on a winning run and look to climb up the ladder.
They have kept two clean sheets in their previous two games through their strong defensive structure which will give them a lot of confidence heading into a tough battle this weekend.
A win this weekend will see them retain top spot on the ladder as the teams behind them continue put pressure on them on the hunt for 1st position; expect this to fire up the Panania side for another strong performance.
Padstow Hornets had their biggest win of the season in round 12 as a Neil Philippou hatrick lead them to a 6-0 victory over Bass Hill Rangers.
Padstow Hornets were without their top goal scorer Mike Cklamovski when these two sides met in round 4 as the Hornets struggled to create goalscoring chances. Cklamovski will look to be the difference in attack this weekend.
They have started to score more goals in attack in recent weeks; with threats up front, look for the Hornets to fire this weekend.
Both sides search for their third win straight this weekend, expect a match where defence could prove to be key in determining the winner of this match.
Central Sydney Wolves vs Bankstown Sports Strikers, 16th June 8:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Score: Bankstown Sports Strikers 0-1 Central Sydney Wolves – Rd 4, 2023
Central Sydney Wolves got back to winning ways following an important 3-0 victory over Georges River Thistle last weekend, while Bankstown Sports Strikers are fresh off a bye in round 12.
Central Sydney Wolves took the three points the last time these two sides met in round 4, a late goal by Wolves Kallie Bangura sealed the 1-0 win for his side.
The Wolves have won four of their past five fixtures which has seen them climb into the top four of the competition.
Their strong defence and fight in midfield are part of what earned them victory last week and they will hope to apply those same principles to win again.
A win could see them jump Bankstown Sports Strikers into 3rd position; Bankstown are making a strong charge heading into the final third of the season.
3rd-placed Bankstown Sports Strikers have also won four of their past five matches and will be eager to get a result against a team they were unable to get a result against earlier this season.
With the week off in Round twelve, the Strikers players should be refreshed and ready to tackle the final third of the season, where they will need to fight if they want to take the three points away from Central Sydney Wolves.
If Bankstown Sports Strikers can find quality up front and convert the attacking chances they make, they could hurt Central Sydney Wolves in attack and potentially move back into 1st position.
A win for Wolves would put them into 3rd position, while a win for the Strikers could open a five-point gap to Central Sydney Wolves and move them into second as Yagoona Lions have a bye this weekend; plenty is up for grabs in this one.
Revesby Workers vs Padstow United, 17th June 4pm @ Maro Reserve
Previous Score: Padstow United 13-2 Revesby Workers – Rd 4, 2023
Revesby Workers finished the game with 10-men as they were beaten 3-0 by Panania in Round 12, while Padstow United lost 3-1 to Yagoona Lions.
Padstow United completely dominated when these sides met in round 4 as both John Martinez and Rafa Coutinho picked up six goal each with Padstow United winning the match 13-2.
Revesby Workers have struggled since picking up their first win and draw this season having conceded thirteen goals in their last two fixtures.
Revesby Workers will look to remain more resilient in defence in their match this weekend as they will the thirteen goals they conceded in the back of their minds from when they played Padstow United in round 4.
Revesby will need to have more fighting spirit to turn some negative results around if they are to pick up a positive result this weekend.
Padstow United have lost their past five matches and have the worst form in the competition coming into round 13.
One thing is certain, Padstow United must win this match if they are to keep their finals hopes alive.
Padstow United have a lot of quality up front which they proved in round four against Revesby Workers this season, if Padstow United can create chances early, they could score a lot of goals in this match.
These two sides will hope to play themselves back into form this week; expect a clash where a clinical nature in attack could decide the result.
Bass Hill Rangers vs Georges River Thistle, 17th June 4pm @ Walshaw Park
Previous Score: Georges River Thistle 2-0 Bass Hill Rangers – Rd 4, 2023
Bass Hill Rangers were put to the sword last round as they fell 6-0 to a determined Padstow Hornets, while Georges River Thistle fell out of the top five as they lost 3-0 to Central Sydney Wolves in Round 12.
When these two sides met in Round 4 this season, Georges River Thistle scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to win the game 2-0 in a tight affair.
Bass Hill are coming off two big losses where they conceded 11 goals and were unable to score in both matches.
Bass Hill are desperate for their first win this season and need to find their fighting spirit that they had earlier in the competition if they are to start to get more positive results.
If Bass Hill can have more quality in front of goal and start to finish their chances, they may be able to give Georges River Thistle a shock and win their first match of the season.
Georges River Thistle will be desperate for a win this weekend if they are to maintain their position close to the top five spots on the ladder.
They allowed Central Sydney Wolves too much space in attack which they led to them conceding three goals last weekend; they will look to get back to their defensive best and not allow a struggling Bass Hill side any chances on goal.
Georges River Thistle will want to put this game to bed early, expect the Thistle to come out firing in attack in this match.
With plenty at stake for both sides at both ends of the table, expect an encounter with plenty of chances and a result which will be near-impossible to predict.
