It will be an action-packed weekend of football in the Bankstown Umbro Premier League Competition as movements on the ladder look likely this weekend.
Our Match of the Round this weekend sees Padstow Hornets back on home soil as they take on Georges River Thistle who must win.
Earlier, Bass Hill Rangers take on the red-hot Yagoona Lions on Friday Night at Padstow Park, while Padstow United return from their bye to take on Central Sydney Wolves.
Elsewhere, Bankstown Sports Strikers look to go equal on points with Panania Diggers when they clash this weekend.
Match of the Round: Padstow Hornets vs Georges River Thistle, 1st July 5pm @ Stuart Street Reserve
Previous Meeting: Georges River Thistle 1-4 Padstow Hornets – Rd 2, 2023
Padstow Hornets return to Stuart Street Reserve for the second week in a row as they take on Georges River Thistle who look to keep their finals hopes alive with a victory this weekend.
When these two sides met in Round 2 this season, Georges River Thistle had a poor start to the season which saw them fall to Padstow Hornets 4-1 with Mike Cklamovski scoring a hat trick for the Hornets; with a crucial three points on the line this weekend, expect the result to be much closer this time around.
Padstow Hornets have started to hit form at the right time of the season as they have won their past four matches straight which has seen them begin to climb towards the top of the ladder.
Padstow Hornets strong recent form has been due to the side beginning to score more goals this season.
The Hornets attacking duo, Mike Cklamovski and Neil Philippou have dominated up front in their four recent wins scoring a combined 16 goals; expect them both to combine up front this weekend to continue their strong form in front of goal and lead their side to another victory this weekend.
With Padstow Hornets back at Stuart Street Reserve for the second time this season, look for them to be firing once again to put on a strong performance for their home crowd.
Georges River Thistle come off a disappointing 3-2 loss to Panania Diggers last weekend after showing a lot of spirit to come back from 2-0 down before conceding late in the match.
Although they may come into this match as the underdogs this weekend, Georges River Thistle have shown this season that they are willing to compete with teams for the full 90 minutes to try and get a result.
Georges River Thistle have started to score more goal recently with 11 goals scored in their past two matches, however, they face a tough task this weekend coming up against the best defensive side in the competition this weekend.
There is plenty on the line for both sides, where a defeat would be detrimental to both of their seasons; expect Padstow Hornets to fire up and Georges River Thistle to fire back.
Bass Hill Rangers vs Yagoona Lions, 30th June 8:30pm @ Padstow Park, Synthetic
Previous Meeting: Yagoona Lions 3-2 Bass Hill Rangers – Rd 2, 2023
Bass Hill Rangers will be eager to make a statement this weekend as they take on Yagoona Lions who are looking for their sixth straight victory.
Yagoona Lions were victorious when these two sides clashed in Round 2 after they came back late from 2-0 down and scored in stoppage time to win the game 3-2.
The 9th placed Bass Hill Rangers come off a forfeit in round 14 to Bankstown Sports Strikers as they are slowly beginning to let their season slip away.
Bass Hill Rangers recent struggles has seen them lose their last four straight matches without scoring since their 1-1 draw with Revesby Workers in Round 10.
A much-needed win could see them climb off the bottom of the ladder this weekend; however, the Rangers need to find some much-needed energy as a squad to put together a more complete performance this weekend.
Conversely, 2nd placed Yagoona Lions are on their best run of the season which has seen them win their last five games straight.
A win this weekend could see them guarantee their side a finals spot in 2023, however, they are a side determined on exceeding expectations and will looking to continue their winning run to try and finish minor premier’s this season.
With Jamie Bazevski scoring 2 or more goals in their past six fixtures, expect him to be a menace for the Bass Hill defence.
This game is crucial for both sides for different reasons, Bass Hill Rangers look to climb off the bottom of the ladder and finish their season on a positive note, while Yagoona Lions could go to the top of the table this weekend; this game could bring anything.
Padstow United vs Central Sydney Wolves, 1st July 4pm @ Playford Park
Previous Meeting: Central Sydney Wolves 2-2 Padstow United – Rd 2, 2023
Padstow United return from their bye looking for two straight victories, while Central Sydney Wolves look to bounce back from their 4-1 loss to Yagoona Lions in Round 14.
These sides couldn’t be separated when they met in Round 2, where the Central Sydney Wolves had to hold off a determined Padstow United for the final ten minutes of the match after they went down 10 men in the 81st minute.
7th placed Padstow United have had a disappointing season for their standards as they sit 11 points off the top five on the ladder this season.
After five straight losses, a dominant win in Round 13 against Revesby Workers saw Padstow United return to winning ways; they will look to use that as positive momentum to end their season on a high.
John Martinez scored two goals when they play Central Sydney Wolves in Round 2, expect him to be the spark for Padstow United this weekend.
5th placed Central Sydney Wolves were disappointing in their 4-1 loss to Yagoona Lions last weekend which saw them drop two spots on the competition ladder.
With a finals spot still not guaranteed for Central Sydney Wolves, look to use that as added motivation this weekend.
Defence will look to be a focus for Central Sydney Wolves this weekend as they face a strong attacking side in Padstow United.
With two strong attacking sides going head-to-head and plenty at stake, expect there to be plenty of chances at both ends which could see one moment play a key part in determining the outcome of this match.
Bankstown Sports Strikers vs Panania Diggers, 1st July 4pm @ Crest Sporting Complex
Previous Meeting: Panania Diggers 1-3 Bankstown Sports Strikers – Rd 8, 2023
Panania Diggers remained at the top of the table as they defeated Georges River Thistle 3-2 last weekend, while Bankstown Sports Strikers will be feeling fresh as Bass Hill Rangers forfeited their games in Round 14.
When these two sides met in Round 8 this season, Bankstown Sports Strikers were too strong as a Cameron Campisi double helped his sides to a 3-2 victory.
3rd placed Bankstown Sports Strikers have had mixed fortunes in recent weeks as they have last two of their past five matches and struggled to put sides away in their victories.
Bankstown Sports Strikers will hope for back-to-back victories for the first time since Round 9 as they look to be more consistent heading into finals.
A win for Bankstown Sports Strikers will see them jump Panania Diggers on the competition ladder and they could move to 1st place if results go their way this weekend, expect this to give the Strikers added motivation this weekend.
League leaders Panania Diggers will have to do it tough this weekend if they are to remain at the top of the league.
Panania Diggers will be looking to improve on their second half performance from last weekend which saw them give up a 2-0 lead before scoring late to win the match 3-2 against Georges River Thistle.
One thing’s for certain, Panania have work horses all over the park and if they can win the midfield battle in this match, they could go along way to winning this match.
As far as matches go for the battle for top of the table, 1st vs 3rd is as big as they get, and the winner of this matchup will take a large step towards the goal of minor premiership.
