THERE is no doubt that Souths are currently the form side of the men’s Premier League Hockey competition, but that does not mean they will be taking a win over Orange Wanderers as a given on Saturday.
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They know it is anything but.
Despite notching up a near history-making 22-0 win over Bathurst City then a 3-0 victory over defending premier St Pat’s in the past fortnight, Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith knows Wanderers are a threat to his side.
At this stage Orange have a very realistic chance of playing finals hockey.
“Orange in Orange I would put down as one of our more dangerous games that we play. They are quite a strong team and they’ll probably be at full strength at home,” he said.
“Like us, they are battling for a spot in the top four, so we are not underestimating them at all.
“They have probably been a bit inconsistent this season, but now is the time when teams need to step up. If you make a mistake now, you can’t make up for it.
“They know they need to be producing their best hockey, and so do we.”
In their first meeting this year Souths posted a 7-1 win over Wanderers, and while the two blues were not at their best in the second clash, they still managed to record a 3-1 win.
Both those games were played on Souths’ home turf.
However, the week after Wanderers lost to Souths for a second time, they managed to draw 2-all with then competition leaders St Pat’s.
Last Saturday the Orange outfit downed the Dubbo Lions 3-0 to move into the top four, while the result also gave them a two-point buffer over Souths on the ladder.
While his men have played two games less than Wanderers –that’s eight potential points – Winwood-Smith knows the Orange side will carry confidence into Saturday’s match.
“We have unfortunately probably not seen them at their best in the two games that we’ve played them this year,” Winwood-Smith said.
“But from what I have seen, they have a good midfield. If Matt Johnson is fit and Kieran [Gentles] – they have a number of players who, if they are fit and strong, are real dangers.”
Orange in Orange I would put down as one of our more dangerous games that we play.
- Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith
The Souths mentor also admitted his side have a target on their back given their recent resurgence, but he is taking that as a positive.
“I am happy to be the team that people want to beat, it makes us work harder,” he said.
“The boys are training three nights a week and they are keen to keep things going.
“They are playing really well at the moment, they have got the gist of what we want to do and everything is coming together at the right time.
“We know there is still a long way to go, but we are are happy with where we are at.”
Saturday’s game between Souths and Wanderers will get underway at 2.35pm in Orange.