By Chris Webb

Narrabundah FC vs Wagga City Wanderers | Saturday, 11^th May – 3pm @ Narrabundah

Wagga City continue to live up to their moniker as they find themselves again wandering down to Canberra, this time to face Narrabundah FC. The Bulls have showed little signs of being rampaging, as they are yet to collect a point, however gaffer Jonno Zalunardo likely showed his best Jake La Motta impression as he was surely raging after their heartbreaking loss to reigning champions ANU by the narrowest of margins.

Wagga City on the other hand continued their good run of form thanks to a Fred Gardner goal, with his grass-cutter edging out Brindabella for a tough 2-1 victory and planting a seed for end of season success. Their other scorer Caylum Barber will however be missing for this one though after being dismissed in the dying minutes. The Wanderers have a chance to go top of the table this weekend, and while it’s not quite panic stations, Narrabundah need points soon if they truly harbour realistic finals aspiration. But even a point will at least get them off the foot of the table as fellow pointless side Brindabella have the week off.

 

Weston Molonglo vs White Eagles | Saturday, 11^th May – 3pm @ Woden Park

The Eagles make the epic trip from their beloved Eyrie to the Magpie’s nest, as Weston host the battle of spring’s most dangerous birds of prey. The Eagles come into this game with a perfect record made all the more impressive with the loss of their talismanic Moroccan striker while Graeme Plath is still unable to unleash powerhouse centre midfielder Ohio Asikhia, meaning his hands are tied when it comes to squad selection. Weston, the only other undefeated side in competition, have an opportunity to close the gap with the league leaders to just two points with a game in hand. White Eagles didn’t have it all their own way last time out, requiring a late Tom Hewitt penalty to see off a stubborn Southern Tablelands side in an arm wrestle of a game.

A heavily depleted Weston-Molonglo side showed much character to fight back from a one goal deficit against a strong O’Connor outfit to equalise through Tom Pagett’s penalty. El jefe, Mase Tate’s selection heartaches continue, potentially losing another three key players to long term injuries in their battle with the Knights so the depth of his squad will surely be tested, and some of his excellently coached U/20’s players may be in line for some first grade game time. Weston will be eager to close the early season gap, while a win for Eagles against another title contender, will set them well and truly out in front and no doubt means it will be Plathy-hour after the match.

 

Southern Tablelands v ANU FC | Sunday, 12^th May – 3pm @ Cookbundoon

The students make the trip north to Goulburn to take on the mighty steamers to back up their narrow league victory over Narrabundah. They will however will be full of confidence after their mid-week FFA cup victory, in what was easily the most amazing victory in world football this week. The students became the teachers, dishing out an impressive lesson to NPL 1 powerhouse Belconnen United, which featured a worldie of a free kick from centre back Tom ‘the voice’ Crossley.

Southern Tablelands will be reeling from their narrow 1-0 loss to the league leading Eagles, in a match where they were without their star forwards from last year’s campaign in Aaron Swanson and Ben Hartin. In their absence Eric Noheli cut a lone figure up top but worked tirelessly and put the Eagles’ defence under constant pressure. The Steamers did however look a little too rigid at the back last week so how Robin Caulfield sets up his charges to deal with ANU’s fluid frontline will go a long way in deciding this match.

 

Queanbeyan City v O’Connor Knights | Sunday, 12^th May – 3pm @ Riverside Stadium

The Knights make the trip out to the new and improved Riverside stadium to face a resurgent Queanbeyan City who will be refreshed coming off the bye, and after picking up their maiden win in round three. The Knights carried their good early season form into round four, taking a much-deserved early lead with a well-orchestrated goal expertly finished off by John Ciminelli, only for some ill-discipline to cost them late on.

Not only did they give away a decisive penalty, but also a red card to new recruit Nick Tither means he will be unavailable for this important clash. This is a match between two long standing and fierce rivals, neither of whom want to lose any further ground on the front three, meaning this is set to be a fiery clash between two quality sides as Goran Josifovski looks to dent Miro Trninic’s birthday celebrations.