EXPECTATIONS are high for Bathurst City when they meet Confederates in women’s Premier League Hockey today, with the 2015 runners-up to start the contest as the hot favourites.

City recorded a confidence-boosting win over St Pat’s in their last outing a fortnight ago and though they will be the away side this afternoon, are expected to make it two in a row by beating the Orange side.

Feds are languishing on the bottom of the table with just two goals to their name from four matches, while they have struggled in defence as well and conceded 25.

“We’ll obviously want to put a few goals away and try to increase our goal percentage. In saying that, that’s something that we’re trying to do every week. Feds aren’t a team that should be taken lightly and they’re a good, young side,” City captain Casey Bayliss said.

“We’ll continue mixing a few things up and try out some new things. Every week’s always a bit different for us. At the moment we’re probably focused more on getting our structure right than smashing goals.”

While Feds have problems with their attack, City haven’t been ruthless either as their tally of goals stands at five goals.

However, just five have gone into their own net and it speaks volumes for the solid defensive structure City have used this year.

Bayliss said the ability to adapt and stick to the new style of play coach Lisa Quinn wants has been impressive. 

“The fact that the team learned a whole new structure 10 minutes before the last game shows they can do it. Away games are always harder and I’d expect it to be hot, so fitness will come into play for the second half,” she said.

“We’ve had a bit of a disjointed season. We didn’t play round one because we had the bye, Lisa and I were away for two weeks in New Zealand, then we had the general bye last week. I’ve only played two games this season, as well as Lisa. For some of us we’re still just warming up.

“Still, we’ve been training hard whether there’s been a game on or not. While we haven’t been getting a lot of goals on the board, we have been doing enough to get through. From all reports they did a great job when we were away and our defence has been top class.”

City also have the mental edge of winning a pre-season trial 3-0 over Feds on their side this afternoon. 

Grace Schumacher will not be available for the match this afternoon, while Kelsey Willott will be making the trip in a boost to City’s attack. 

The match will start at 2.35pm.