The last round of the home and away season commences today, as several Women’s Premier League teams discover their fate.
Altona City and Preston Lions are sadly rooted to the bottom of the table, but things are not so certain at the top as six teams battle for five Finals spots. Will it be Finals heartbreak for Casey Comets again? Will Heidelberg United complete a fairytale run to the knockout stages after looking dead and buried earlier this season? Will Box Hill United leapfrog Sandringham SC to that vital second placed spot at the death?
All these and more, as we take a look at the intriguing permutations when matches kick off at 1pm today.
Preston Lions vs. Casey Comets FC (12th vs. 6th)
This is a vital match for the Comets, who know anything other than a win will spell the end of their season. The result might be moot if Heidelberg get anything out of their own match (a draw will suffice for the Bergers) but in the event Casey make up the three point shortfall, their vastly superior goal difference will see them through. Preston have a glimmer of an incentive too, as they trail Altona by three points going into this game but they’ll have to win by 20 odd goals if they want to overturn their goal difference and avoid the wooden spoon.
Cairnlea FC vs. EAP (10th vs. 7th)
This is a dead rubber for Cairnlea, with nothing but pride for the hosts to play for at Cairnlea Park. They haven’t won a game in ages, and are underdogs against a spunky EAP outfit that needs to win to secure 7th spot in the table. Dave Edmonson’s youngsters were never going to play Finals, but a mid-table finish will be just about right in a season where they showed flashes of their potential.
Sandringham SC vs. South Melbourne WFC (2nd vs. 1st)
This has been shaping up to be a blockbuster for awhile now, though some of its allure has been lost following Box Hill’s breaking of South Melbourne’s unbeaten streak last weekend. There’s still lots of interesting plotlines though, with South failing to beat Sandringham in two attempts so far this season, including the Knockout Cup Final loss in midseason. There’s plenty of incentive for both sides, and while Sandringham will be unable to get closer than three points to South Melbourne if they win, a loss might allow Box Hill to catch up and overtake them in the table. Only a win will do for both sides as they prepare for the upcoming Finals series.
Ashburton Womens SC vs. Bundoora United FC (8th vs. 4th)
Nothing to play for for Bundoora, thanks to their loss to Sandringham last week. They’ve 4th spot more or less locked up, and coach Mark Torcaso might take the chance to give his fringe players a chance to impress. Ashburton are only a point behind EAP in midtable, so they might move up the table into 7th spot if things go their way. A draw will be insufficient even if EAP lose, for they are 20 goals behind in the standings.
FC Bulleen Lions vs. Heidelberg United (9th vs. 5th)
The Comets will be desperately hoping that Bulleen can do them a favour in this fixture, as Heidelberg know that a draw will suffice in helping them reach the Finals. Bulleen have nothing to play for in theory, but will not be handing out any free passes as they look to end the season on a strong note. Heidelberg will be looking to go on the attack from the word go, so this could be an exciting match up.
Box Hill United vs Altona City (3rd vs. 11th)
Box Hill are running into some tremendous form as Finals approaches, having polished off South Melbourne at the last time of asking. They have won the last eight games in a row and statistically speaking, Altona don’t stand a chance. But this is football, and stranger things have happened. An unlikely win for Altona will move them into double point figures for the season, while three points for Box Hill will give them a chance at claiming second in the table. In the event that Box Hill only manage a draw and Sandringham lose, the former’s better goal difference will see them grab second.