State League Two Round 8 Preview

It is little surprise the bottom four sides (Fairfield, Gazy, Hakoah, Hawkesbury) are the only teams not to win a game at home so far this season and, in regards to defensive strength, the top four teams (Roosters, Springwood, Hurstville, Prospect) have all conceded the least amount of goals ? in table order.
Possibly the game of the round sees top-five sides Prospect United and Luddenham United clash at William Lawson Reserve on Saturday evening (5pm kick-off). Luddenham have won four straight and will see an extension of this against quality opposition like Prospect as a sign all is travelling well at a club that, historically, has been little trouble for most sides. Prospect have been very consistent so far this season with three wins and three draws underlining their high position on the ladder.
Bathurst ?75 play Fairfield Bulls at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday night (7pm) in what promises to be a tight encounter. Bathurst are yet to win away from home but are a mountain to climb at home, and a good showing this weekend will keep them knocking at the top-five door. Fairfield have been good without being great this year, and they need to start registering some more wins to counter four straight home draws to start the season.
Strugglers Hakoah will need to lift when they meet Hurstville City Minotaurs at ES Marks Field on Saturday night (7pm). Hakoah are winless with the league?s worst offensive (six goals scored) and defensive (16 goals conceded) records. You could say they are due for a win but their timing sees them face a Hurstville side smarting from a month-long stall. City have won just one of their last four games and were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Gazy last week. Expect the Minotaurs to come out charging.
On Sunday afternoon, Belmore Hercules tackle Roosters FC in a tough match-up at Blick Oval (3pm kick-off). Belmore have already showed they have what it takes to challenge the top teams this year and will be primed to be the first side to bring down the high-flying Roosters. But the Roosters have an impeccable away record, winning three and drawing one of four road trips, and they have managed to score in all seven rounds to date. The two sides have also conjured up 16 goalscorers between them.
Fairfield Wanderers have a grueling assignment when they meet heavyweights Springwood United at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). The Wanderers switched on in their 1-0 defeat of Bathurst last week, registering their first clean sheet and to peek into the top-five. Springwood are also in form and have not leaked a goal in more than five hours of football (three consecutive clean sheets). United are also getting the job up front, scoring nine goals to secure five wins this season.
A fired up Gazy Lansvale play a marathon-running Hawkesbury City at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Gazy were gritty in their 1-1 draw with powerhouse Hurstville last week and will be keen to build on this performance and reignite their dour campaign start against a Hawkesbury side that is coming off a third straight midweek game. City played a round-three McDonald?s Cup match against Super League club Northern Tigers on Wednesday night and the extra games are obviously taking a toll on the winless division two cellar-dwellers.
-By Daniel De Nardi