PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 9 PREVIEW

[pecker]

SAASL Premier League Round 9 Preview



ELIZABETH DOWNS vs. ELIZABETH GROVE
Current League Standing- Downs 3rd, Grove 5th
Last season- DNP
THE third of the Elizabeth derbies takes place at Argana Pk when title contenders Elizabeth Downs meet a Grove outfit who has looked sadly out of form in recent weeks.
The Peckers started the year scoring for fun with an amazing 17 goals in their opening three rounds but the departure of striker Boree Kieng has coincided with a drought of goals that have seen the Grove score only twice in their last five league encounters.
Coupled with a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Division 2 pacesetters Modbury Vista and it’s been a forgettable month for the Peckers although Chairman Justin Foster is looking for a change in fortunes in the derby “The boys are working extra hard on the track this week and we are hoping that a derby game like this may be just the match that sparks our season”.
The Downs have the best defense in the league this season having only conceded six goals but it will be upfront that they will be looking for some action with Graeme Armani and Steve Butler looking to support Nathan Day.
The Downs cannot afford to drop anymore points at home so expect them to get up in a tight one.
Prediction- Downs 1-0

ELIZABETH VALE vs. PONTIAN
Current League Standing- Vale 4th, Pontian 1st
Last season- Rd 9 Vale 2-0 at Moflin Rd
Rd 18 Vale 4-1 Ferryden Pk
PONTIAN has successfully traveled to Elizabeth twice already this season and both games, like this one, held match of the day status, so the question is can they claim the trifecta?
They are starting to look a little similar to the champion Gardens train that motored along last season having won their last eight games in the league and the cup.
The reason Pontian has been able to get results such as 3-0 at the Grove and 1-0 at the Downs is that they can match the physicality required to get points against these teams.
The Vale, like Pontian, are also in a rich vein of form having strung six wins together in the league and cup and a win in this will throw the championship race wide open and make the Vale a real contender.
Pontian has Anthony Matteo up front who will need to be watched while Mark Burbridge is one of a young breed of players that has struck form for the Vale.
It’s tough to pick against a Pontian team that has taken all before it this season but I fancy the Vale to blow the championship race wide open this Sunday.
Prediction- Vale 2-1


PARAFIELD GARDENS vs. SALISBURY FLORINA
Current League Standing- Gardens 2nd, Florina 8th
Last season- Rd 7 Draw 0-0 at Underdown Pk.
Rd 16 Gardens 2-1 at Bradman Oval
SALISBURY Florina travel to Parafield in the unusual position of carrying some winning form with them.
Having beaten West Beach 3-0 in Round 8 they were able to follow that up with a come from behind 3-2 win over Brahma Lodge in the Cup last Sunday.
The team certainly seems revitalized under the coaching of Trevor Elliott and they come into this game with the fire power to cause a shock.
Young striker Amarildo Grishaj is in outstanding form and with Beau Singlewood’s quality in the midfield Florina will create chances.
The issue for Florina will be the talent that Gardens have all over the park.
Michael Brooks continues to hit the back of the net regularly and young Andy McConnell is also starting to find form while captain Paul Ebomo is hitting his straps at the heart of the champion’s midfield.
This will not be a walkover by any means but expect Gardens to take the points.
Prediction- Gardens 3-1


WEST BEACH vs. FULHAM
Current League Standing- West Beach 10th, Fulham 9th
Last season- Rd 1 Draw 2-2 at Collins Reserve
Rd 10 Beach 3-2 at Lockleys Oval
LAST season West Beach kick started their great escape from relegation with a gutsy come from behind 3-2 win over Fulham.
Well its now or never for the boys from the beach because if they lose this one against a Fulham team ripped apart by injury then they will be doomed.
This Beach team lacks nothing with regards to creating chances but taking them is another matter.
For Fulham there has been a bright moment in an otherwise miserable last couple of months as they won their round 2 Challenge Cup game with a remarkable 7-6 victory over Strathalbyn.
While Strath may not be Premier League opposition winning is a habit and coach Lawrie Sancilio will be hoping his boys can string two in a row “We showed some good character in the Cup game which was a credit to the boys”.
Beach coach Josh Hilditch still believes in his charges “We were in a similar position last year and we fought our way out so we know we can do it”.
No doubt they can but the recovery must start here.
Prediction- Beach 3-1


INGLE FARM vs PARA HILLS EAST
Current League Standing- Farm 7th, East 6th
Last season- DNP
ONE point splits these two local rivals and this game will go along way to where these two finish at seasons end.
You get the feeling the Farmers are starting to get back on track despite a 3-2 loss at Pontian in round 8 and they will be looking to make life difficult for an East team who are down on numbers.
While East coach Ryan Mogg refuses to use injuries as an excuse the facts are they are missing key personal none more so than striker Chris Miller.
East will take some heart from their three goal extra time blitz against Bosna in the Challenge Cup 2nd round and they will fancy themselves to score against a Farm defense that has leaked 17 goals in eight games.
The Farmers will be looking to start to convert the many chances they have been creating and with Matt Cox, Paul Jones and Lachlan Campbell in the team you fancy the home team to take the points.
Prediction- I Farm 2-1

[BestOfWhatsLeft]

Excellent preview..... Vale vs. Pontians game should be a cracker!!!
Both teams dark horses at start of the season looking like they'll be
There abouts at the conclusion! Think Pontian 2-1 in this one though!

[ontheblackburner]

Where has Boree Kieng gone?

[Outlaw 2.0]

Where has Boree Kieng gone?

I heard a whisper that he plays for a national team who had a tourney on...?

[KING NUGGETT]

yeh well done pecker great preview,

Where has Boree Kieng gone?

I hear he is back this week?

[pecker]

yeh well done pecker great preview,

Where has Boree Kieng gone?

I hear he is back this week?

Craig Laird does the previews, not me


yes Boree should be playing this week, I believe

[KING NUGGETT]

well done for the cut & paste then