State League Two Round 21 Preview

Both Belmore and Hawkesbury were winners last week but Hercules have slightly more to play for with a playoff position up for grabs should other results go their way. The two sides drew 1-1 in a rescheduled round 10 match and City will be inspired by wanting to finish off a troubled season on a high note.
Springwood United come up against Fairfield Bulls at Summerhayes Park on Saturday night (7pm). Both teams were wounded by losses last week, Springwood missing their chance to take a top-five spot and the Bulls surrendering first position, and three competition points is a tantalizing reward for the victor here. Fairfield tore Springwood apart for a 3-0 win in their previous encounter but United have found grit at times, this is another time when they will need it to prevail.
Bathurst ?75 travel to Mona Park to take on Roosters FC on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off) for what promises to be an interesting clash. Bathurst are still mathematically alive but are also on a worrying four game losing sequence. Former competition leaders Roosters are also on shaky ground having triumphed just twice in 11 matches, and they won?t want to remember blowing a two goal lead late in the game to draw 2-2 with Bathurst in round 10.
Can Gazy Lansvale continue their steamroll towards the finals when they meet Hakoah at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm)? Gazy have won three on the trot to drag themselves to within two points of a wobbly top-five. A fairytale script is writing itself for Lansvale?s blistering run and what better motivation than a 5-0 drubbing by Hakoah in a rescheduled round 10 match. It was the wake-up call Gazy needed and will have Hakoah on their toes.
Hurstville City Minotaurs face Prospect United at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in another game that has top-five implications. Fourth-placed Hurstville lost last week to put their top-five spot in jeopardy with four teams breathing down their necks. One of them is Prospect, who had a thrilling 3-2 win over Roosters last week to move to within a point of fifth-placed Roosters and Springwood. The Minotaurs and United drew 1-1 in their last meeting.
And what a way to end the round when top-two sides Luddenham United and Wanderers meet for a clash of the gladiators at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). The two combatants are separated by a point on the table and drew 1-1 in round 10. There are 19 goalscorers on the two playing rosters and the sides share a similar goal difference ? this could decide the minor premiership and may even be a grand final preview. Nothing more needs to be said for an absolutely mouth-watering fixture.
-By Daniel De Nardi