Strathdale’s injury woes keep growing

Updated November 7 2012 - 3:49am, first published July 9 2010 - 11:21am
Leap: Epsom’s Leigh Merchant and Strathdale’s Nic Watson
Leap: Epsom’s Leigh Merchant and Strathdale’s Nic Watson

Top of the table Strathdale have been hit by more injury concerns as it heads into tomorrow’s Football Federation Victoria central region division one clash with Eaglehawk.Strathdale gained top spot on the FFV central region ladder after last week’s 2-1 win on Epsom’s turf.The Blues sustained several injuries in the battle with the Scorpions, including key playmaker Stuart Gough.Gough adds to a long list of Strathdale division one players missing from the squad including Xavier Clayton, Rhys Clayton and Nathan Sartori.Despite being low on numbers, the new faces of the team are keeping the Blues on top, with Fergus Rawluk leading the league goalscoring along with Epsom’s Jake Allport.Eaglehawk is at full strength this week for the first time all season and will look to score an upset victory against the championship leaders at Strathdale’s Beischer Park.Forwards Dan Kelly and Justin Warren have scored 10 goals between them this season and will challenge the Blues defenders in this crucial contest.Spring Gully will be keen to increase it s three-match winning streak when it hosts Epsom at Stanley Avenue.Gully will be without key player Josh Naunton, and will rely on playing coach Dennis Barnett and Matt Ford to be key playmakers.Responsibility for guarding Epsom’s in-form striker Jake Allport is likely to go to the experienced Grant Lane.It will be a huge test as Allport has struck eight goals for the Scorpions.For Epsom, Trevor Harvey will rejoin the side after an injury-interrupted first half to the season.Joel Patafio, who has scored seven goals for Epsom this season, will be on the sidelines because of injury.Moama’s Bryn Barnes-Webb will have a chance to even up the leading goalscoring table when the Raiders take on Castlemaine.Barnes-Webb has scored seven goals for the Raiders, only one behind Strathdale’s big man Rawluk and Epsom’s young gun Allport.A win for Moama would keep it in touch with the top three sides of the competition and give them a fighting chance this season.Castlemaine will need to look to the speed of Hannis Maky and Sayon Souare to test the Moama Border defence.Maky has been valuable for his team this season, scoring four goals.Colts United will be hoping to replicate its previous clash with Swan Hill in tomororw’s 10th round.Colts kicked off the season with a 9-1 win against the Swans on the Strathfieldsaye pitch.The trip to Swan Hill for United should even up the margin, with Swan Hill showing a lot of improvement throughout the season, including a 1-0 win against the ladder-leading Strathdale.At the midway mark in the women’s championship, Eagle-hawk is still the clear favourite to win the title.The Hawks are unbeaten and look too strong for tomorrow’s opponent, Strathdale.The Blues have been struggling to stay in contact with the top four sides, and must try to regain confidence after last week’s 10-0 loss to Epsom.The Borough team has many scoring options, including the brilliant Maika Ruyter-Hooley, along with Paige Conder, Chloe Parker and Carlee Frankel.Epsom and Moama are Eaglehawk’s closest challengers for the title this year, but the Borough will remain outright favourites at this point in the season.The Moama Bordr Raiders should take full points in tomorrow’s match on home turf against Castlemaine.

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