State League Two Round 11 Preview
Prospect have grown taller and stronger over the past month with a couple of tidy results, including a big win over league leaders Roosters, taking them close to the top-three positions. On the flipside, Hakoah?s weekend win has returned City to the bottom of the ladder and Hawkesbury must rise again on the back of some promising performances.
Bathurst ?75 face Hurstville City Minotaurs at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday night (7pm). Hurstville were stunned 6-0 by Belmore in their last outing and will be keen to erase that effort from their memories with a good showing over the mountains. Bathurst were terrific in holding Roosters to a 2-2 draw last weekend despite playing a man short for almost an hour. If the home side can repeat the dose, Hurstville could be in for a long drive back home to Sydney.
Tumbling giants Springwood United welcome Hakoah to Summerhayes Park on Saturday night (7pm). Springwood have lost back-to-back games and won?t want to falter against a team that has registered just one win all season. However, Hakoah?s victory was a 5-0 romp over Gazy last week and the players will be eager to continue their momentum against Springwood. United have recorded four clean sheets so far this season, which fits nicely into the fact Hakoah has been held scoreless four times as well.
Shellshocked Gazy Lansvale play a new-look Belmore Hercules at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). Belmore have recruited a couple of weapons in the past fortnight, which they unleashed in a six-goal attack on Hurstville in late May, and will be out to sharpen their points against a Lansvale side that were mere ghosts in a five-goal loss to Hakoah last week. But coach Phil Pavela believes a totally different Gazy will take the field this weekend.
This year?s leaders Roosters FC tackle 2009 champions Fairfield Wanderers at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). After eight undefeated rounds the Roosters have tripped up on a loss and draw in consecutive weeks. Stumbles to their table rivals have meant Roosters maintain a four-point lead at the top of the ladder, but they have shown the rest of the competition they are beatable. The Wanderers know how to win and will also know how to use their immense experience to exploit this.
Luddenham United host Fairfield Bulls in what promises to be a good game at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Luddenham have extended their unbeaten run to seven rounds in a surge up the ladder to equal-second place, while Fairfield have lost just once over the same period. Both teams will be looking to consolidate on a return to form, although Luddenham are simply relishing a top-five position ? a place they have not been for very long throughout their time in State League.
-By Daniel De Nardi
