State League Two Round 9 Preview

It hasn?t been a happy song played for either side in 2010; in fact the victory song is yet to be sung in either dressing shed this season, so you can be sure both teams will be warming up the vocal chords as they gun hard for the win. 
The hard-luck aspect is that Hawkesbury have gone down by one goal in four of their defeats, the same heartbreaking result for Hakoah in three performances.
Springwood United welcome a rejuvenated Gazy Lansvale to Summerhayes Park on Saturday night (7pm). While the two club?s seasons may be contrasting, with Springwood in the top-three and Gazy in the bottom-three, Lansvale have actually outscored United over eight rounds (14 goals to 10) and boast one extra goalscorer in their playing ranks. However, Springwood?s rock solid defence has been broken just seven times this year compared to 14 goals scored against Gazy.
Hurstville City Minotaurs play Belmore Hercules in a battle of historical legends at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). In Greek mythology Hercules was the strongest man alive, while the half-man half-bull Minotaur devoured men for sustenance. In reality, it?s not too far from the truth. The Minotaurs have gobbled up most teams they have met this season, and Hercules have shown strong form in several games. With tradition strong at both clubs, this will be a clash for the ages. 
Fairfield neighbours the Bulls and Wanderers meet in a cross-town extravaganza at Knight Field on Sunday afternoon (3pm). The defending champions Wanderers have snuck into the top-five on goal-difference after a sluggish start to the season and a win will reaffirm their 2010 title credentials. But the Bulls, with five draws in eight games, surely need a win to resurrect their finals prospects. Both teams boast similar stats and it will probably be hard to separate them on the field too.
Roosters FC and Prospect United face-off in a top-four rumble at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm), and what a treat it should be for spectators. The Roosters have been unstoppable and unflappable in their eight games of undefeated mayhem but they face a stern task in adding Prospect to the row of kills on their feathered fuselage. United have only tasted defeat once this year, a 3-4 loss to Belmore last month, and they have more than enough in their arsenal to shoot down the Roosters.
Luddenham United and Bathurst ?75 come together at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Luddenham have got everyone?s attention with a recent run of four victories, while Bathurst are starting to fade into the distance without a goal scored in three matches. This could easily go Luddenham?s way from the start if not for the way Bathurst have managed to conjure up uncanny performances this season. The boys from over the mountains will make an in-form United fight hard for any.
-By Daniel De Nardi