State League Two Round 26 Preview

Bathurst ?75 will need to be on guard when they play Luddenham United at Luddenham Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). The ?75 boys haven?t much to play for (besides the fact they?ve lost four straight to Luddenham and can jump two ladder positions in the final round) while United (who lost 2-4 to Belmore in a catch-up game on Tuesday night to ruin any premiership hopes) will want to enter the finals with a win under their belt (and hopefully steal third place if Roosters fail against Hurstville). Luddenham will be angry at relinquishing a higher placing and Bathurst provides the perfect opportunity to regain their title foothold.
Hurstville City Minotaurs tackle Roosters in a Sunday afternoon (3pm) blockbuster at Hills Sports High. The old foes meet once again in an exciting match-up that has implications in both grades. Minotaurs reserves can still make the finals (from 1pm) while Roosters first grade can claim third place for their own (and a coveted second chance in the first week of the finals) following Luddenham?s recent loss to Belmore. Hurstville were declared round 13 winners in an epic contest against Roosters, who haven?t beaten Minotaurs in five tense games over three years. This should be a beauty of a battle between two well-known Sydney clubs.
So what?s there to play for when Prospect United and Chopin Park Rams meet at Chopin Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm)? Fifth-placed Prospect have nothing to lose but plenty to gain from a positive end to the season, with momentum a key ingredient to any finals success. It?s also the last chance to clear any cobwebs before the playoffs begin. The Rams held United at bay in a 2-1 win at William Lawson Reserve in round 13 earlier in the year, and they?ll be just as happy to end a fair state league comeback with a great last-round finish. Chopin Park reserves will be revved up as they?re still playing for a possible top-five place (at 1pm).
Springwood United take on division two wooden-spooners Gazy Lansvale play at Cherrybrook Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm), and while there?s nothing on the line for either side (except in reserves, kick-off at 1pm) it?ll still be a great chance to thank both sets of fans for their support this year. Gazy have had a challenging season to say the least. In last place for most of the way with plenty of personnel problems to overcome, Lansvale would love to see the back end of 2011, but at least do it in style. Springwood haven?t beaten Gazy since a 2-1 win at Cherrybrook Park in 2009, including a dour 0-0 draw back in May, to add some incentive for them.
Fairfield Wanderers face Belmore Hercules in a just-for-pride affair at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). With their 2011 campaigns gone both clubs can begin preparing for a long off-season with a no-pressure game of football in the final round of the year. While the two sides have played out typically low-scoring games in the past the fact that Wanderers knocked Hercules out of the Waratah Cup in the first round and held them to a 0-0 draw and won 1-0 in the past two meetings at Blick Oval should give Belmore enough motivation to snatch one back this time around. Fairfield reserves will be playing for the premiership at 1pm.
Nepean and Hawkesbury City clash at Bensons Lane Field on Sunday night (8pm) in the final hit-out for both first grade sides. Nepean have been given plenty to think about following an arduous and challenging first year in state league combat. Competitive in most of games, lowly table finishes in both grades means plenty of work will need to be done over Nepean?s off-season to build upon any of the lessons learned from this year. Hawkesbury beat their hapless western rivals 2-1 earlier in the year and will want to make it a great final day out for their home fans with City?s reserve grade side gunning for a premiership chance (6pm kick-off).
But after 180 highly competitive division two matches it all comes down to Hakoah versus Northbridge at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). First the reserves put on their show (from 1pm) with Northbridge still in with a premiership shot and Hakoah playing for a top-five position. Then, following an intriguing and dramatic six months of State League Two, the second division premiership will be decided by the two sides with the best scoring output, most league wins and most lethal marksmen. A 3-0 round-13 win to Hakoah means little, and competition points, goal difference and league wins couldn?t separate either side, Northbridge advantaged by the fact they?ve scored three more goals than Hakoah this year. The equation is simple, Hakoah must win to claim the title; a draw or Northbridge victory hands the trophy to the league newcomers. Both have fairytale stories to complete: Hakoah finished last in 2010, while a maiden premiership would cap off a tremendous debut for Northbridge. This the perfect end to an enthralling season!
-By Dan De Nardi