Crunch time at top and bottom -- Hornets bid to extend lead while Rangers fight for survival
It's crunch time for those involved in the Premier Division title chase and tomorrow presents a scrumptious offering at Bernard Park, where league leaders Dandy Town and North Village each face an acid test.
And at the other end of the table, it's do-or-die time for Southampton Rangers, who will be relegated to the First Division tomorrow by any result other than a victory over Somerset Trojans.
For Town the recipe is a simple one, win and continue to control their own destiny, lose and have to seek help from outside during the final two rounds.
The same can be said for the Red Devils, who find themselves in a mad scramble for points in order not to drop from legitimate contention and be able to seize the title they and their supporters so anxiously crave.
A point behind both Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts, Scott Morton's troop have the luxury of home-field advantage and catch Town coming off a poor result against lowly Devonshire Cougars, who held the St. John's Road side to a 1-1 draw a week ago.
Town were inept in front of goal and showed more than a few cracks in defence during the aforementioned contest, something Village will hope to exploit come Sunday afternoon.
Devonshire Colts likewise face the victory mandate, and if PHC can only duplicate the decrepit performance they gave in mid-week against Social Club, Colts should move on to the penultimate round at or near the top of the heap.
Zebras coach Sammy Swan, despite his advanced years by soccer standards, has resorted to starting himself up front, which gives not too complimentary an indication of the status of the attack.
The pair face off at White Hill Field.
At Southampton Oval, Southampton entertain Somerset, with the former desperately in need of maximum points if they are to avoid making the automatic drop.
Rangers' best hope is to overtake Somerset for the play-off spot that will determine whether two or one team is demoted from the top flight, however that quest must start tomorrow, as a loss or draw relegates the Southampton outfit.
Meanwhile, among the First Division fixtures, with St. George's all but confirmed for promotion, the attention turns to the battle for second and a berth in the play-offs.
Paget will need victory over Somerset Eagles to continue their quest, as they and Ireland Rangers stand locked in a dead heat on 21 points.
Rangers entertain Hamilton Parish, who come off a thrilling 6-4 comeback win against St. David's.
The other match has St. George's entertaining Prospect.
In Women's Divisional play Dandy Stars face Prospect, while PHC entertain Little Venice.
A Pee Wee soccer match involving North Village and Dandy Town will precede the Premier Division encounter at Bernard Park involving the same two clubs. The match is set to kick-off at 12.30 p.m.