State League Two Round 3 Finals Series Preview

Hakoah have been ultra-strong at Hensley (dropping just two games all year) and with Northbridge Oval still out of bounds for the premiers it?s back to the track for this weekend?s blockbuster.
It was at the athletic field on a cold May Sunday night that Hakoah dusted Northbridge 3-0 to kickstart a 12-wins in 13-rounds run that moved the eastern suburbs outfit from seventh to eventual second place on the ladder, a Rani Rimmer opener and Jon Pillemer second-half brace underlining a dominant display as Northbridge rested key players ahead of their fourth round Waratah Cup clash against Blacktown Spartans (which they lost 3-1).
It completed a miserable week for Northbridge, who also slumped to their first home defeat of the season following a midweek catch-up loss to Prospect, but it did spark a premiership defining second-round 13-match winning sequence that culminated in final round revenge against Hakoah.
With the two sides going into the final game locked on equal points, equal wins and equal goal difference, a packed Northbridge Oval willed the home side to a tense 1-0 victory, a lone Elliot King goal midway through the second half enough to claim a thrilling title race by a whisker over a shell-shocked Hakoah.
Northbridge celebrated but the week off obviously did the division?s number one side no favours as they slumped to a staggering 9-2 loss to Roosters (who had brushed aside Hakoah 1-0 the previous week) to leave the premiers facing sudden death football to earn a grand final berth.
In comments following the final round victory Northbridge coach Joe Haywood said he regarded Hakoah as their biggest opponent and most people thought the top two sides would go on to battle out the grand final as well.
Roosters had other ideas and barged their way into the championship decider through the front door (beating Hakoah 1-0 and Northbridge 9-2), and now it?s down to either Hakoah or Northbridge to join them. One finished bottom of the table last year and the other won the premiership in their first year of trying? a fairytale chance either way.
Reserve grade
Hawkesbury City booked their grand final berth with a finely crafted 2-1 win over reserve grade premiers Wanderers last weekend and Fairfield will be out to make amends when they meet Northbridge in this Sunday afternoon?s preliminary final at Hensley Athletic Field (4.30pm kick-off).
Nothing separated the two sides as Wanderers and Northbridge split thrilling 3-2 home victories this season (although their last encounter was three months ago) to perhaps share equal favouritism heading into this weekend?s encounter on neutral territory. This could go either way.
-By Daniel De Nardi