State League Two Round 1 Preview
It should be an interesting affair as last year?s wooden-spooners Hakoah look to start the new campaign on a positive note, but Prospect have never been a push-over club and will be tough to topple on home turf. United won both of last year?s encounters against Hakoah 2-1, which shows the competitiveness between the two sides, but 2011 is a new year altogether.
Seymour Shaw Park will be lit up on Saturday night for a late-evening spectacle between Hurstville City and Hawkesbury City (7pm start). Both sides have attracted plenty of attention from opposition coaches who have tipped both City?s to do well this year, and Hawkesbury will have extra motivation in trying to upturn a current three-game losing sequence over two seasons against Hurstville. But the opening round of any competition is always the hardest to pick and this game will be one of the toughest.
There are five matches to be played on Sunday (March 13), starting with new side Chopin Park Rams hosting Springwood United at Chopin Park (3pm kick-off). Plenty has been made about the new teams entering the division two fold this year and yet there?s still a lot unknown about the trio of debutantes. What?s clear is Chopin Park boast a rich, proud history and face a disciplined Springwood side built on club camaraderie. This all makes for an exciting encounter between two passionate teams.
A rejuvenated Gazy Lansvale match-up against newcomers Nepean FC at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) and many eyes will be tuned into the result; firstly to see what Nepean has to offer, but also to see what a pumped-up Gazy might be capable of this year. Nepean was born from the ashes of Premier League outfit Penrith-Nepean and can draw some inspiration from the fact that local side Nepean Corinthians were crowned division two champions back in 1978, a feat they will be hoping to emulate three decades on. Lansvale will be going all out to ensure their 2011 season start fires up earlier than last year?s sluggish beginnings.
There could be lessons dished out by both sides when Roosters FC and Belmore Hercules face-off at Hills Sports High School on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Roosters are determined to be head of the division two coop this year while Belmore desperately want to be part of finals football again and perhaps claim a second division two crown. But Hercules will first have to figure out how to defeat Roosters, who narrowly won both of last year?s match-ups between the two sides (2-1 and 1-0).
Fairfield Wanderers clash with Bathurst ?75 at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm) with plenty on offer for both teams. Bathurst were dreadful on the road in 2010 and can go a long way to gaining some respect on Sydney turf with a good first-up showing at Fairfield. For the Wanderers, who finished second by a point to cross-town rivals Fairfield Bulls in the race to last year?s flag, they will want to make a more impressive start to 2011 after winning just four of their opening 11 fixtures in 2010. They do hold onto bragging rights though following two tight 1-0 victories over Bathurst last year.
Luddenham United take on title dark horses Northbridge FC in what should be a cracker of match at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Luddenham have come of age over the last few years and have transformed from perennial whipping boys into match-winning giants. They finished 2010 in third place and made a bold move for further success with an amazing off-season recruitment drive. The only trouble is not much is known about the chances of Northbridge, who are the talk of the town with their excellent facilities and player and coaching sign-ups. Watch this space.
-By Daniel De Nardi
