The regular NPL season is over and finals have begun. Meanwhile in NPL2, Sunshine George Cross bid farewell to Chaplin Reserve.
Also in NPL2 West, three teams remain in the hunt for automatic promotion with two games remaining.
Match of the Round: South Melbourne vs Hume City
The last time these two sides met, South Melbourne was three points clear on top of the table and seemed well on its way to clinching the premiership. In what stands as a pivotal match and one of the games of the season, Hume were able to take a point away from Lakeside Stadium with a late Theo Markelis goal. It proved to be the first in a string of crucial results for South who ultimately slipped to third place in a disappointing end to the season. When the two sides meet again this Sunday at the same venue, its all or nothing in the first round of finals.
Match of the Round (NPL2): Sunshine George Cross vs Werribee City
Though it’s two teams currently on the wrong end of the table in NPL2 West, this match is sure to be a historic occasion. After 35 years of calling Chaplin Reserve home, Sunshine George Cross will play its final game at the ground before eventually relocating to new facilities in Taylors Hill West. Many former players are expected to be at the game which hold fond memories for them also, who will hope to add another as a young Sunshine outfit will look to see off Chaplin Reserve in style.
Under the Radar: North Geelong Warriors vs Moreland Zebras
Among the fixtures this weekend, this is most likely to prove crucial in the NPL2 promotion race. While Zebras’ promotion hopes now dangle by a thread, Warriors can go one step closer to securing a top-two position with a win to keep the pressure on St Albans Saints. Having failed to find the back of the net last week against Moreland City, Warriors will be doing its utmost to clinch maximum points this time around and extend its unbeaten streak to eight games.
Player to Watch: Liam Boland
While his late, great goal against Central Coast Mariners will be the strongest memory of Liam Boland this season, he has been far from a one-goal wonder. Twelve goals in 24 games this season is no mean feat and the 24-year-old’s ability to find the back of the net will prove crucial on Friday night. He faces a tough task in getting past Oakleigh goalkeeper John Honos, once again among the top performing goalkeepers this year. It was Boland’s goal that separated the two sides when they met at Jack Edwards Reserve earlier this month however, so the striker will be confident he can do it again.
Most at Stake: Melbourne City
With two games remaining and Melbourne City now sitting points behind table-topping St Albans Saints, automatic promotion is now off the cards. Promotion could escape City’s grasp altogether if it doesn’t pick up maximum points against Moreland City on Saturday. City managed maximum points last weekend to stay in touch, triumphing 5-3 in a goal-fest against Werribee City but will need to regain its defensive solidity in the tail end of the season.