State League Division Two Begins Round 19
Gazy?s 2-0 win against Hurstville last week will have them in a good mood and they will fondly remember beating Hawkesbury 4-0 in round eight. But City are a team respected by all and have a battle to fight off the wooden spoon.
Bathurst ?75 face juggernauts Fairfield Bulls at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday night (7pm), and they will need to dig deep to have any chance of causing an upset. The Bulls will want to keep on their winning ways but will also be wary of the long trip to Bathurst, which produced a 0-0 round-eight stalemate. Fairfield have their strike force, but Bathurst have plenty of defensive grunt as well.
A red-hot Springwood United take on Fairfield Wanderers in a Summerhayes Park blockbuster on Saturday night (7pm). Springwood have scored nine goals in their last two outings to be just outside the top-five on goal difference. Wanderers have made a habit of winning and know how to handle the big matches, but Springwood have found a, well, spring in their step and it will be interesting to see how far it might take them.
Hurstville City Minotaurs tackle Hakoah at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off) in a game that could go either way. Hurstville were beaten 2-0 by strugglers Gazy while Hakoah produced a stunning 2-0 upset of Roosters last week to set up an intriguing fixture this weekend. Hurstville are looking to book a finals spot and will look to repeat their 3-0 triumph in round eight.
Luddenham United meet Prospect United at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in another mouth-watering clash. Luddenham drew 1-1 with Belmore last week and won?t want to let more points slip through their fingers in a mad dash for top-five positions. Prospect have been out of sorts of late but haven?t given the chance of some post-season action away just yet.
Roosters FC take on Belmore Hercules at Mona Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in a game that could ruin Belmore?s 2010 run. Both clubs will be desperate for the points as the competition heads into the final month of regular season matches. Roosters won their round eight meeting 1-0 and both outfits have enjoyed positive runs throughout the year, but who will prevail this weekend?
– Daniel de Nardi
