State League Two Round 6 Preview

Hawkesbury are dead last without a win, while Hurstville are second, but don?t be fooled by the table discrepancy as the home side has been more than competitive in each of its five games. In fact, Hawkesbury has only suffered one-goal defeats in each of their three losses. Unfortunately, they meet a Minotaurs side still smarting from a 2-0 loss to Springwood last week.
Prospect United play Wanderers in an intriguing match-up at William Lawson Reserve on Saturday evening (5pm). Both sides have two wins from the opening five rounds, with an extra draw to Prospect separating the teams on the points table. United will look to exploit a fragile Wanderers defence that has leaked 11 goals thus far, but it is also an area opposition coach Juan Ortiz has been working hard on. The Wanderers have plenty of flair in their line-up to create some havoc of their own at the other end.
Bathurst ?75 hosting Springwood United at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday night (7pm) looks to be the match of the round. Bathurst has been impressive in their rise up the ladder to fifth place and will be primed to meet a Springwood side that has shown its own on-field playing prowess. However, United has also been a little inconsistent in their performances and will be keen to show coach Errol Warwick-Day that they have the mental capacity to be ready for the bigger games in the competition.
On Sunday afternoon, Belmore Hercules welcome Fairfield Bulls to Blick Oval (3pm kick-off) in a game that may see one of them jump into the top-five. Both sides are hovering outside the top tier having suffered just the one loss (and three draws) each in a season of gradual improvement. But the real result for either side will be a victory that sees them edge closer to division two heavyweights Roosters, Hurstville and Springwood.
League leaders Roosters tackle Gazy Lansvale at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in a vital match for the visitors. Lansvale has been on a slide over the past few weeks, with injuries especially having an impact on their playing stocks. Coach Phil Pavela won?t be hitting the panic button just yet, but he will need to start scratching out some competition points soon. A good showing against the red-hot Roosters will be just what the doctor ordered. However, the Roosters are on fire. Enough said.
Hakoah have their work cut out for them when they meet Luddenham at E.S Marks Field on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Winless Hakoah held on for a third draw against Fairfield last week but have only scored a league-worst four goals in five games. United have spring to life on the back of successive victories and look to be hitting their straps after several disappointing seasons. Following their last fortnight?s performances, no one is taking Luddenham lightly anymore.
-By Daniel De Nardi