Division One Finals Series Preview
The competition is now down to four teams, with the major semi final pitting together most pundits tips for the grand final on September 21 at Melita Stadium ? Spirit FC and Inter Lions.
Spirit FC were, of course, crowned minor premiers, and had a rest last weekend, so come into this game fresh, whilst Inter Lions left it very late to beat Dulwich Hill, an 83rd minute penalty by Vizzari seeing them through.
Both matches this season in the head-to-head clashes were tense, yet exciting, affairs.
In the first eagerly awaited encounter in Round 9, with both teams going into that match undefeated, Spirit FC prevailed by the odd goal in a five goal thriller, against an injury-depleted Inter, and did it with ten men for almost the entire match after the early sending off of ex-Socceroo Jason van Blerk.
Division One equal leading marksman, Leo Papanicolaou, grabbed a brace of goals that day in a barnstorming performance, and will be looking for more of the same this time around.
The return match at Concord Oval saw a 1-1 eventuate, the point enough for Spirit FC to clinch the minor premiership on their rival?s home turf.
Inter Lions will no doubt be looking to their playmaker, Lachlan Wright, for some wizardry, for on his day, he can single-handedly turn a game on it?s head with his bag of tricks.
For the winner, a spot in the grand final awaits, whilst the loser has earnt the right for a second bite of the cherry, and will play the winner of the minor semi final next week in the preliminary final.
Either way, it promises all the thrills and spills any game between these teams usually produces, so get down to Christie Park on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be an enthralling clash of the titans.
MAJOR SEMI FINAL
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Christie Park, Christie Road, North Ryde
1st Grade ? SPIRIT FC vs INTER LIONS (kick off at 2-00pm)
U/20s ? Spirit FC vs Inter Lions (kick off at 11-30am)
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The minor semi final on Saturday afternoon sees two fairly evenly matched teams come together at Hajduk Stadium ? a long way away from where both teams usually play their football, their ?shared? home ground, Arlington Oval.
Dulwich Hill finished third in the competition proper, and will be looking to bounce back after last week?s, last gasp loss to Inter Lions in the first semi final.
Stanmore Hawks will be counting their lucky stars that they didn?t run out of time in last weekend?s elimination semi final against Sydney Wanderers, scoring two goals at the death to deservedly take the match, and stay alive in this season?s finals series.
The head-to-head matches this year have produced a win apiece, with Stanmore winning the first match 1-0 on a Sunday evening in early June, whilst Dulwich Hill squared the ledger in the return on August 16 with a 3-1 triumph.
The scorers that day for both sides were, predictably, the two teams? highest scorers ? Biviano(2) and Paradisis for Dully, whilst Chavez replied for the Hawks.
These three players notched up an impressive 51 goals this season between, meaning both defences will have to be on their toes to keep these goal poachers at bay.
The loser will say goodbye for 2008, whilst the winner continues on their merry way in yet another elimination final next week. If you want to see the usual thrills and spills that are standard with sudden death matches, get out to Hajduk Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
MINOR SEMI FINAL
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Hajduk Stadium, Edensor Road, St Johns Park
1st Grade ? DULWICH HILL vs STANMORE HAWKS (kick off at 3-00pm)
U/20s ? Blacktown Spartans vs Schofield Scorpions (kick off at 12-30pm)
-By Frank Speranza
