Round 17 of Division Two State League kicks-off
Roosters FC meet Gazy Lansvale at Mona Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). Gazy are playing for their play-off lives as another poor result will kill off any faint finals pulse. Fifth-placed Roosters are also under the pump and will be keen to find their winning ways just over a month out from the post-season. Lansvale went down 3-0 in their round six loss to the Roosters.
Hakoah have their work cut out for them when they travel to Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). In bottom spot and a mountain to climb just to avoid the wooden spoon at least the motivation is there for Hakoah, who also welcome back a swag of senior players this week. But they face a Luddenham side brimming with confidence and remembering a 3-2 win over Hakoah in round six.
Hawkesbury City and Hurstville City clash at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Hawkesbury showed true mettle in dismantling Roosters 3-0 last week and have showed great promise throughout a tough season. Hurstville are on a roll of their own and can cement a top-three place with another good result. An injury time goal lifted the Minotaurs to a thrilling 4-3 win over City in round six.
Wanderers welcome Prospect United to Knight Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in what promises to be a cracker of a game. Prospect belted Bathurst 4-0 last week and Wanderers also did well to hold off an in-form Belmore 2-1. A United win will seem them take the Wanderers? top-five position, and they know how to do it having defeated Wanderers 2-0 in round six.
New competition leaders Fairfield Bulls play Belmore Hercules in a mouth watering prospect, also at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Both sides are strong and Belmore need the points to try and crack into a hotly-contested top-five. However, the Bulls are looking good with six consecutive victories and they will be eager to avenge a 2-1 loss to Hercules in round six.
– Daniel de Nardi