WIN big and hope for favours – that is the mindset of Bathurst City heading into Saturday’s final round of the women’s Premier League Hockey competition.
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The defending premiers currently occupy fourth on the ladder, but are hoping to earn a major semi-final berth.
On their part it will require the City players to fire against Lithgow Zig Zag as they not only need the competition points in Lithgow, but to make a big improvement to their for and against ratio.
Then City needs Souths to upset Lithgow Panthers and competition leading St Pat’s to down third-placed Orange CYMS.
It is an unlikely scenario, so City’s Kelly Baker said they will just focus on doing as well as they can against Zig Zag.
“It really depends on how all the teams in the top four go this weekend as to who sits where on the ladder. Pat’s will definitely be minor premiers, but between the next three teams, we’re really not sure who will finish there,” Baker said.
“So we’re just looking to get the win and hopefully that puts us in a good position.
“The other sides, they have hard games. Souths played great last week and are not going to ease up for their last game and Pat’s won’t want to lose, especially not going into the finals.
“We’ll do our best and see where it puts us.”
City currently has a for and against record of +9, but with CYMS (+25) and second-placed Panthers (+21) holding a significant edge in those terms, Baker knows her side needs to execute better in front of goal.
“That is always one thing, as a team, we struggle to capitalise on, scoring goals,” she said.
“We’ve had that problem for a lot of seasons, so it’s something we will definitely try to improve over the weekend.”
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With goalkeeper Maddy Tattersall back from NSW Country duties and striker Kelsey Willott having returned from injury, City is hopeful of bettering its 5-1 win over Zig Zag from earlier this season.
Still, Baker knows not to underestimate a side which will be playing to avoid the wooden spoon.
“It’s good to have a senior striker and our ’keeper back again,” Baker said.
“[But] We can never take Ziggies lightly, they come to surprise us and try really hard. We can’t let them have it, we just really need to focus on where we want to be for the finals and try and get that win from the get go,”
Bathurst City will do battle with Lithgow Zig Zag from 2.40pm in Lithgow on Saturday.
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