THIS time last year they were reeling. Stone motherless last.
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But the next three weeks will give in-form Wagga United's Pascoe Cup title credentials a stern test.
After a slow start to 2018, the Crows went undefeated in 13 games to make the finals but were thwarted by a 93rd minute semi final equaliser by eventual unbeaten premiers Lake Albert.
This year they've won four of five games to sit second, but start a tough period against last year's grand finalists Young at Rawlings Park on Saturday.
A road trip to undefeated Hanwood, yet to concede a goal this year in seven-and-a-half hours of football, awaits next week before a clash with the Sharks.
"The next three weeks are quite big, we've sat down and spoken about what's required moving forward," Wagga United coach Travis Weir said.
"We're second one the ladder and haven't played good football yet, compared to last year where we were playing reasonably well, but were last. It's a strange old game.
"We spoke in pre-season a number of times, conceding an equaliser in the 93rd minute deflates anyone.
"We've won ugly, we haven't played well at all which is encouraging."
Wagga United will be missing a host of first team regulars with Lincoln Weir, Adrian Weir and Adam Holmes confirmed outs, while Tyler Allen and Junee recruit Adrian Merrigan are in doubt. However, Aaron Riley will return to the lineup.
"We still rate our chances fairly highly this week, but we know what it's going to require."
Weir said the squad hasn't looked past the Young clash, but described the trip to Hanwood as "exciting".
"I've watched them play a couple of times and see a few things they like to do, and maybe a few things they don't like," Weir said.
"We haven't spoken about it at all yet, all we've spoken about is Young and what we need to do to perform."
Young enter the match without a tough assignment under their belts for some time after following a forfeit by South Wagga with a 10-0 rout of strugglers Cootamundra last week.
"We've got Wagga United this week and after that we'll have some idea of what those top four teams are going to be like," Lions captain Duncan Cameron said.
"I'd say Griffith (Hanwood) are the standouts at the moment."
Sunday's scheduled clash between Leeton United and South Wagga has been deferred to a yet-to-be-confirmed date, with Leeton to play a State Cup game in Sydney this weekend.
PASCOE CUP - ROUND SIX
SATURDAY: Tolland v Lake Albert at Rawlings Park 1; Wagga United v Young Lions at Rawlings Park 5 (both games 7pm).
SUNDAY: Tumut v Henwood Park at Bull Paddock; Cootamundra v Hanwood at O'Connor Park (3pm)
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