What’s at stake when Melville United head to Eastern Suburbs

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Melville United can take a big step towards National League qualification with a Wednesday night win against Eastern Suburbs.

The rescheduled Northern League fixture kicks off at 7pm under the lights at OFC’s Ngahue Reserve, Stonefields.

While the result is reasonably academic for home side Suburbs, Melville is locked in a two-way battle with arch-rivals Hamilton Wanderers for the last remaining qualifying spot for National League football.

Main photo: Melville United captain Aaron Scott … more than 300 first team appearances for the club. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • If Melville win the midweek game, they’ll go five points clear of Wanderers, with only two rounds to go.
  • If Melville draw against Suburbs, they’ll only be three points ahead — but will have a goal difference that’s 10 goals better than Wanderers, which is as good as another league point.
  • If Melville lose to the Lilywhites, both Waikato teams face a nerve-wracking fortnight before they meet in the last game of the season at Porritt Stadium.

Hamilton Wanderers missed their chance to put Melville under the pump by losing 2-0 at Birkenhead United on Tuesday night.

READ MORE: Click here for match details >>>>

Worse, they had two players sent off — winger Mark Jones and goalkeeper Matt Oliver. The pair now face one-match suspensions and will miss Saturday’s home game against Manukau United.

The run-in

Melville United play Eastern Suburbs (a), North Shore United (h) and Wanderers (a).

Wanderers play Manukau United (h) and Melville (h).

Fixture

Game to be played Wednesday August 24, 2022

Eastern Suburbs v Melville United
Ngahue Reserve, Stonefields, 7pm

Standings

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