THE Swan Hill women’s soccer team will attempt to make history this weekend by qualifying for the team’s first ever finals series.
With the women’s team sitting in sixth place and five points clear of Spring Gully United with just two rounds remaining, a win this weekend would secure Swan Hill’s spot in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League Super Cup finals.
This Saturday sees the Swan Hill hosting La Trobe University SC as part of the club’s 50th season gala day, with the women’s match taking place at 1pm.
Despite winning 3-1 against La Trobe University back in round 8, the Swans will have to go all out this weekend with Swan Hill assistant coach Emma Pitts telling The Guardian that the girls can not underestimate their opposition.
“La Trobe really gave us a good fight last time, they stood up to us and kept pushing so it will be important for us to not take that win light heartedly this weekend,” Pitts said.
“We just need the girls to give their effort this week, they have to give it their all and switch on from the start if we want to win.
“La Trobe will come down wanting to give their all as well, so we want to make sure were giving that effort.”
With last Sunday’s 8-0 loss to Castlemaine Goldfields Gold, it is crucial that Swan Hill give it their all this week, especially with two of their key players still out injured.
“Amity (Scott) currently has a knee injury and Heidi (Annand) has a long standing fracture, so we will see how they are going into this weekend,” Pitts said.
“It’s unlikely either of them will be available, but we will still have a pretty strong team.
“For us, it’s really all about our effort and how badly we want to win.
“It’s going to be a huge occasion for our club and particularly for our team as well with finals on the line, but regardless of the result, we are just wanting the girls to give their best and for us, our effort and work rate is our main performance indicator.”
The women’s game this weekend will be one of four matches to celebrate the club’s 50th season, with all Swan Hill teams playing at the Ken Harrison Reserve this Saturday.
The Swan Hill men’s team will be playing Border Raiders FC at 3pm, with the clubs under 14s and under 16s BASL teams also in action earlier in the day.
Swan Hill’s under 14s team will be playing Golden City Merinos at 11am and after having the bye last weekend, will be looking to extend their nine point lead on top of the ladder.
Swan Hill’s under 16s team will also be hosting Border Raiders FC following their 5-0 win against Castlemaine Goldfields Green last Saturday.
Both junior teams have already won their championship as their division’s leading side, with Swan Hill’s men’s team only four points behind Spring Gully United SC after the Swans 2-1 win over the ladder leaders last weekend.
Although the win closed the gap in the race for the men’s championship, it also came at a cost, with Swan Hill men’s coach Tony Di Palma telling The Guardian that two of his team’s key players suffered injures during last week’s game.
“Our number one goalkeeper Riley McCosh dislocated his finger, he got it checked out and was cleared so we are hoping he can play this weeks game,” Di Palma said.
“Our captain Cooper Fox also had a bit of a niggle with his ankle, but hopefully he will be able to get up and about before our game against Border Raiders.”
Thankfully, despite two of Swan Hill’s key players being under an injury cloud, Di Palma believes the rest of his boys are “pretty fit” and right to play for this weekend.
“I think our concern was probably last week’s game because Spring Gully is the bench mark of the competition and to play them at home and to take a 2-1 win was great for us,” Di Palma said.
“(That win) has probably given us high spirits for the boys to take on Border Raiders this weekend, but in saying that though, we can’t take any team for granted.
“It doesn’t matter where they are placed on the ladder, it depends who turns up on the day.
“They could be a better team then we could be, but as long as we go in with the right mindset and we try to be as positive in our play as we can, I’m sure we can get the result.”
The main focus for this week’s game, according to Di Palma, will be Swan Hill’s defence and midfielders.
“The majority of the times it’s our midfielders and defence that hold us together quite well,” Di Palma said.
“Conner Brown is at his best at the moment, but in saying that, he’s probably been a bit flatter than normal over the last three or four weeks because we haven’t played for a few weeks.
“I think now that the boys have got that back, hopefully they can get the win and bring some points home”
