SWAN Hill Soccer League are set for another big weekend, with three home games and a new competition set to take centre stage.
After all teams enjoyed a well-earned week off, the senior men’s and women’s teams, along with the under-14 girls side, will all take to the Ken Harrison Reserve this weekend – two of whom will be up against ladder leaders.
The highlight for the weekend, however, will be the under-16 boys playing their opening match in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League’s Knockout Cup, with the winner of their match against the Epsom Scorpions to progress through to the next round later that afternoon.
Swan Hill Soccer League president Sue Fox told The Guardian anticipation within the team was high, having finished off their home-and-away season third on the ladder.
“I think they’re very excited to be back playing, having a couple of weeks off doesn’t do them very good, they just want to get back out there and play again,” Fox said.
“They have two games in Bendigo this Saturday, and there will be one game next weekend and then the final weekend after that.
“Nobody gets fully knocked out, in that when they lose, they will still play another game, it’s just that they are out of the main draw and can’t win the tournament.”
While the Swans will go into their opening round match against Epsom as favourites, it may be a different story if they can progress to the second round, with either the highly rated Spring Gully Red or Border Raiders FC to await them.
Also returning to action this weekend will be the Swan Hill men’s team, who will host ladder leaders Shepparton SC from 2pm Sunday.
It will be a must-win match for Swan Hill, who currently find themselves fourth on the ladder, but still within touch of the top-of-the-table Shepparton in the race for the title.
The Swans are in good form, having defeated the Border Raiders FC 6-1 in their last match two weeks ago.
Earlier on Sunday the Swan Hill women’s team will host Border Raiders FC from 12pm.
After showing strong signs of improvement in recent weeks, with Amity Scott, Alycia Anderson and Emma Pitts all in form, the women’s team should go in with hopes of an upset against the team from Echuca-Moama.
Kick-starting it all, the under-14 girls team at 11.30am tomorrow will host Golden City SC.
When the two teams met in round 3, it ended with a 9-0 win to Golden City, however recent results have showed the much improvement within the Swan Hill girls, who were extremely competitive losing just 2-0 in their last round against second-placed Epsom.
If they can bring that same level of effort and intensity, a third win in their debut season doesn’t appear beyond them.
