The value of Tom Cahill’s last-gasp winner at Port Melbourne last Saturday may not be realised until the result of this Friday’s blockbuster at the Olympic Village is known.
The priceless and hard-earned three points at Port Melbourne means that a Heidelberg United win over Oakleigh will catapult the ‘Bergers to the top of the NPL table with just two rounds to go in 2019.
But, to achieve what was at various stages of this season the implausible, the unthinkable – the ‘Bergers will have to meet and beat an Oakleigh side that is on a 14-game unbeaten run. Chris Taylor’s men have overcome a sluggish start to the season to become the form team of the NPL, storming into the top six along the way, and threatening to finish as high as in third spot.
Nothing worthwhile is achieved easily, with the ‘Bergers successes of the past three or four seasons testament to that old adage. Should George Katsakis’ side reach the pinnacle for a third straight season after Round 26, it will rightly be regarded as the club’s finest of all in its decorated six decades plus history.
It’s one of the last opportunities, save perhaps for a home final, for fans of this mighty Warrior outfit to see the Olympic Village in its current guise before its end of season overhaul.
As George Katsakis has noted: “We’ve traditionally done well at home against Oakleigh, so we’re hoping to continue that this Friday with the incentive of taking top spot for the first time in a while, it all points to a classic encounter.”
This stand-alone match in a weekend of Victorian Cup final action will see a Friday (August 9) night kick off at 7:45pm. Fans of HUFC TV coverage can tune in to the match via the link at www.hufc.com/hufc-tv from shortly before this time
