State League Two Round 10 Preview
Hawkesbury City SC vs Hakoah
Saturday, 26 May 2012 @ 5-00pm at Bensons Lane Field
The most eagerly anticipated League Two match-up for 2012 is finally upon us as second placed Hawkesbury City welcome league leaders Hakoah to Bensons Lane Field for their blockbuster top of the table clash on Saturday night.
Hawkesbury face the daunting task of tackling an undefeated Hakoah side, as they try to bridge the 7 point gap between them. The Hawks haven?t had the best lead up into their round 10 blockbuster with Hakoah though, unable to secure victories in their last two outings ? while Hakoah on the other hand have won their last nine matches without a hint of a blip. Hawkesbury will rely on the speed and agility of front men Zac Watters and Paul Cooper while midfield anchor Robert Carle will look to contain Hakoah in the middle of the park.
League leaders Hakoah could well face their biggest test yet as they travel out to Bensons Lane Field to face a fired up Hawkesbury outfit. Attacking midfield ace Neil Jablonski was on song last week, bagging four goals and will be the danger man along with in-form strike partners? Justin Kosmina and Jamie Watts.
Hakoah are obvious favourites due to their unbeaten streak, but this could be a tight affair with plenty of goals, in what is shaping up to be a classic battle with a bumper crowd expected.
League form last five games:
Hawkesbury City SC: W-W-W-D-D
Hakoah: W-W-W-W-W
Mountains United vs Prospect United
Saturday, 26 May 2012 @ 7-00pm at Summerhayes Park
Prospect United travel up the Blue Mountains to face a wounded Mountains United at Summerhayes Park on Saturday night.
Mountains have seen a reverse in their fortunes over the last few weeks, disappointingly losing their last three matches after a stellar start to the season. Mountains felt the full force of Hakoah last week, going down 4-1 at home but will look to regroup in time for their clash against a Prospect side that has made a habit out of winning in recent weeks.
Prospect United continued their fine form with an impressive 3-0 win over FC Gazy in round 9. The highlight of the win was offensive marksman Joshua Muggleton?s hat-trick but Prospect will know they won?t have it all their way against Mountains as they go in search for a fifth straight victory ? adding further pressure to the Hakoah v Hawkesbury clash.
Prospect proved to have the edge over Mountains in 2011, winning both of their meetings and based on current form, Prospect will be confident of securing a fifth straight victory.
League form last five games:
Mountains United: W-W-L-L-L
Prospect United: L-W-W-W-W
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs West City FC
Sunday, 27 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Hurstville City kick off Sunday League Two matches as they play host to West City for a 3pm start at Punchbowl Oval.
Hurstville will be disappointed their game against Bathurst 75 was postponed, and will be keen to get back into the winners groove at their provincial home ground this weekend. Hurstville have shown some brilliance in 2012, but at other times have lacked cohesion, which has seen them drop pace with the top three.
West City nabbed a late equaliser via Benjamin McCann at Cook Park against Nepean in round 9 and the boys from Chopin Park are showing improvement with each progressive game. West City bounced back with true character from their loss to Prospect back in round 7, which has proven they will battle games out for the full 90? minutes. A win away at Hurstville would provide a great booster to West City?s finals aspirations as it would draw them level with the Minotaurs.
Last season both meetings between these sides ended in stale-mates and this one looks like it will be another close affair, and could go either way.
League form last five games:
Hurstville City Minotaurs: W-W-W-L-L
West City FC: W-L-L-W-D
Western Condors FC vs Nepean FC
Sunday, 27 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Knight Park Field No. 4
Western Condors play host to Nepean FC at Knight Park Field No. 4 for a Sunday afternoon 3pm kick-off.
Following a slow start to the season, Western Condors are finally starting to gain some wind in their sails, picking up 4 points from their last two fixtures. A win at home against Nepean could see Condors jump back within an arm?s reach of finals football, so the home side will be keen to keep their momentum rolling.
Nepean has also started a mini-revival and will rue a missed opportunity last week after conceding at the death to throw away 3 points against local rivals West City.
This same fixture finished all square last season and the winner of this Knight Park encounter will go a long way to lifting themselves into the top half of the table.
League form last five games:
Western Condors FC: L-L-L-D-W
Nepean FC: L-L-L-W-D
Belmore United vs Luddenham United
Sunday, 27 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Blick Oval
Belmore United return to Blick Oval as they welcome Luddenham United for their round 10 clash at 3pm this Sunday.
Belmore have somewhat gone off the boil after such positive pre-season preparations, with their last win being way back in early April against West City. Belmore will be disappointed by losing their last 3 fixtures by the odd goal and will need to shore up their defence and concentrate for the full 90? minutes if they are to challenge Luddenham on Sunday.
Luddenham have started the new campaign surprisingly somewhat off the pace, sitting in 8th position with two wins from seven starts. With a few suspensions and injuries causing disruptions early on, Luddenham look to be slowly picking up the pieces with a positive 3-3 draw against the Hawks in round 9 after defeating Mountains 2-1 away from home the week before. Huso Merdanovic has been in fine form for Luddenham this season and will look to lead his side against Belmore on Sunday.
Luddenham have taken points from the top 5 teams in recent weeks and will be confident in overcoming a Belmore side that has lost their last 5 matches.
League form last five games:
Belmore United: L-L-L-L-L
Luddenham United: L-L-D-W-D
FC Gazy vs Bathurst 75
Sunday, 27 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Cherrybrook Park
FC Gazy and Bathurst 75 will go head to head at Cherrybrook Park this Sunday for a 3pm start.
FC Gazy have struggled against Hakoah and Prospect in recent weeks but will fancy their chances against a travelling Bathurst side that hasn?t won in four starts.
FC Gazy showed character and never gave up against Prospect last week but some chances that went begging early in the first half came back to haunt them.
Bathurst 75?s fixture was postponed against Hurstville last week so they will turn their attention to their tricky fixture against FC Gazy this Sunday. Bathurst 75 hasn?t won since early April and their season has continued on a downward spiral ever since. Mark Rooke will have prepared his squad to challenge for the 3 points on offer this week to ensure all their hard work doesn?t go to waste.
Bathurst got the better of FC Gazy last season with two wins, but the home advantage will ensure this game will tip slightly in FC Gazy?s favour.
League form last five games:
FC Gazy: L-W-D-L-L
Bathurst 75: W-L-L-L-L
-By Dean Southern
