State League Two Round 22 Preview
There is also a catch-up game to play with Wanderers traveling to Springwood on Thursday night. The result will have great implications Springwood?s finals chances as they are five points adrift of fifth-placed Roosters, while Wanderers are currently two points behind competition leaders Fairfield.
Bathurst ?75 take on Hurstville City Minotaurs at Alec Lamberton Field in a critical match for Hurstville. Bathurst will play for pride alone after an inconsistent season, but Hurstville have plenty at stake. A win and slip-ups to Luddenham and Wanderers could land the Minotaurs an unlikely second place and home berth in the first week of the finals. However, a loss could see Hurstville lose fourth spot to Roosters in a crazy final week set-up. Besides, there?s also a 4-1 round-11 loss to Bathurst to settle.
Belmore Hercules meets Gazy Lansvale in an intriguing affair at Blick Oval. Gazy have been riding a fairytale wave over the past month and four consecutive victories gave them a long shot at making the post-season after almost being roped into battle for the wooden spoon. But a 2-1 win to the Roosters over Hercules in a midweek catch-up game has eliminated both Lansvale and Belmore from the finals race. Hercules beat Gazy 2-0 in their round 11 encounter.
Prospect United play Hawkesbury City in what should be a free-spirited match at William Lawson Reserve. Neither team can finish lower than their current position should they lose (Prospect are ninth, Hawkesbury 11th), although United can jump up three places if they win and three other results go their way this weekend. But that will only get them as far as sixth. Both sides will look to end tough seasons on a high note, so expect a free-wheeling game similar to their thrilling 2-2 round-11 draw.
A lively Springwood United take on this year?s wooden-spooners Hakoah at Hensley Athletic Field. Hakoah will only be out there for pride but Springwood still have an outside shot of making the finals. United are five points behind fifth-placed Roosters on the ladder and have it all to play for in their two games this week (they also play Wanderers at home on Thursday night). Springwood and Hakoah fought out a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled round-11 match.
Top-three sides Fairfield Bulls tackle Luddenham United in a blockbuster at Knight Park. How current third-placed Wanderers go against Springwood on Thursday night will determine what?s at stake for Fairfield and Luddenham on Sunday. As it stands, the minor premiership is still up for grabs and both sides will be looking to impress with the booby prize a home final in the first week. And who could forget Luddenham coming back from 2-0 down at halftime to beat Fairfield 4-2 in week-11?
Wanderers meet Roosters FC in a match of many possible outcomes at Knight Park. The carrot for Wanderers (who also have a catch-up game against Springwood on Thursday night) is the 2010 minor premiership and possible elevation to division one next year (they are two points behind Fairfield), while the Roosters have finals football or possible 2010 oblivion as their motivation. However, they could finish fourth if they win and Hurstville lose. A Wanderers own goal helped Roosters to a 1-1 draw in round-11.
-By Daniel De Nardi
