Wagga United’s primed to capitalise on the demise of Henwood Park’s first-grade side, a team they nudged out of the top four last week.
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I always knew the season would be close but it’s come down to one game
- Wagga United coach Dave McGowan
The Crows will score the last of four coveted Pascoe Cup finals positions if they defeat South Wagga Warriors in the season’s last preliminary round at the Showgrounds on Saturday at 7pm.
“I’m a bit excited, I always knew the season would be close but it’s come down to one game,” Wagga United coach Dave McGowan said.
“It’s crazy that the power’s back in our hands.
“If we don’t make it to finals, we’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
The Crows meet a formidable rival.
Warriors coach Andrew Hull will not give the Crows a free pass into top-tier finals.
“We pushed Tolland right to their limits, Tolland turned out better on the day,” he said.
“We’re going to do the same to Wagga United.”
Warriors’ central attacking player Bai Fahnbulleh’s on McGowan’s radar.
“Bai’s their weapon, we’ll try to contain him," he said.
“Our strength will be out wide.
“If we play the quick, early ball we should be right.
“I don’t want to be giving them goals, if we can get our defence to move the ball quickly we’ll be on the way to a win.”
Hull will have his eye on Crows’ captain Daniel Lawrence and goalkeeper Andrew McCracken.
“With Daniel Lawrence in the midfield we’ll really have to put a stop to him,” he said.
“And their goalkeeper is unbelievable.
“I’ve watched some of the saves he’s pulled off.
“He’s going to give us a couple of headaches trying to finds the back of the net.”
South Wagga winger Prince Thompson may not play due to an ankle injury sustained last week.
There are two Wagga United players under doubt; Tavaziva Chipere (sick) and Jarrod Bennett (injured).
Bennett moved to Canberra during the season, and his leadership has been missed, particularly at Crows’ training sessions.
But the team has bounced back; undefeated for four rounds in a row.
“Last night was awesome, we finally got to train at Duke of Kent,” McGowan said.
“We’re stoked to be back. Hoping, in future, it could become the home of Wagga United.”