RIVAL teams Lake Albert and Wagga United will converge at Rawlings Park on Saturday at 5pm in the name of breast cancer awareness.
Both teams will play in pink socks and Wagga United will play in pink jerseys.
The jerseys will be auctioned after the game at function at William Farrer Hotel, pink buckets will be passed around during the game and funds will go to the Cancer Council and the McGrath Foundation.
Lake Albert coach Anthony Gardiner organised a similar fundraiser last season, raising a combined $3000 with Tumut Football Club.
He’s taking part to help increase the number of breast cancer nurses in country areas.
“My aunty passed away from breast cancer a couple of years ago, and I don’t wanna see other people go through what my aunty did,” he said.
Gardiner hopes the charity match will be an annual tradition.
“Getting those breast cancer nurses out there in the country is important, I guess, we’re in the country so why not support it each year?”
Wagga United first grade captain Daniel Lawrence said that cancer has brushed almost every person he knows.
“We haven’t really had a connection with a not for profit, and we thought the Cancer Council would be a good cause to support,” he said.
While Lake Albert is positioned ahead of Wagga United on the ladder, just one point separates the teams.
Both have secured three wins from seven rounds, and both teams narrowly lost to their respective opponents last week.
Young defeated Lake Albert 1-0 at Rawlings Park, Ground 4; a relatively short regulation field.
Rather than gradually building towards goal Lake Albert sent the ball soaring forward and turned it over too cheaply.
Defenders played reactively, and forwards made a few unsuccessful breaks, as Young’s goalkeeper performed under pressure.
Young took charge of the game in the final 20 minutes, shielding the ball from Lake Albert players who battled to take possession.
Wagga United were unlucky to lose against top-ranked South Wagga.
The 1-1 draw turned to a South Wagga win in the final minute.
Wagga United gained composure throughout the 90 minutes, and took advantage of the space in the midfield, as South Wagga midfielders dropped back to defend.
With last week’s yellow cards looming over their heads, Wagga United players Zeph Daniel, Jarrod Bennett and Prince Thompson will be on their guard on Sunday.
