State League Two Round 14 Preview

But Bulls coach Michael Mamoo is smart enough not to write off a Hawkesbury side that has worn the brunt of some unlucky results this season, including five one-goal defeats. City was the best performing division two side in the McDonald?s Cup knockout.
Last-placed Hakoah hosts Bathurst ?75 at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday night (7pm) in dire need of salvation. Hakoah have just one win to their name this year (a 5-0 thrashing of Gazy last month), and boast the worst defensive record (27 goals conceded in 12 games) and equal second worst offence with Bathurst (16 goals). Bathurst have turned in a Jekyll and Hyde performance of late, beating Hurstville and Gazy, drawing with Roosters, but losing to Hawkesbury. This could be anyone?s match.
Belmore Hercules take on Prospect United in a top-five fight at Blick Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). Both sides have had bumpy rides in 2010: Prospect is yet to register successive victories, while Belmore haven?t done it since round six (although they haven?t lost since round eight either). The two sides battled out a 1-1 draw in round three and this is expected to be another tight tussle as both sides look to consolidate their position near the top of the leaderboard.
Gazy Lansvale tackle Fairfield Wanderers at Cherrybrook Park this Sunday afternoon (3pm). Gazy is another side that would love to find some consistency on the paddock, and they would also love to avenge a dramatic 3-2 round-three loss to the Wanderers. A dribble of points has kept Lansvale near the top-five on points, but title-holders Wanderers are on a remarkable drive that has taken them to equal-third place after a dismal start to the competition.
Roosters FC tackle Springwood United in a big match at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). After a three-week rut of results, Roosters returned to the top of the pecking order with a plucky 1-0 win over second-placed Luddenham last weekend. Springwood are unrecognisable from their early season form. They haven?t won since round five. In fact, they?ve only scored twice since then to plummet to ninth on the ladder. Their goalscoring drought (11 goals in 11 games) is contrasted by 27 Roosters goals.
All eyes will be on Luddenham Oval this Sunday afternoon when Luddenham United play Hurstville City Minotaurs in a real grudge match (3pm). United suffered their first loss in 10 games against Roosters last weekend, while Hurstville continued their awful streak of four win-less matches. But the defining moment came when the two sides met in round three. A dominant 3-0 Minotaurs win kickstarted a nine-game unbeaten run for Luddenham, Hurstville winning just twice in this time. Expect fireworks.
-By Daniel De Nardi