By Jack Sharp
The Lotto NRFL Northern Conference will have a new leader on Wednesday night as two title contenders meet in a floodlit game.
Third-placed Franklin United will host second-placed Bucklands Beach at the Drury Sports Complex, kicking off at 8pm.
Whoever wins will go two points clear of current leaders Beachlands Maraetai.
A draw will see the three teams locked on 14 points but with Bucklands Beach having the best goal difference.
Franklin go into the midweek match with the better form of the two sides.
They went within 10 minutes of causing the biggest upset in the Chatham Cup’s third round last weekend.
After scoring in the second minute through Denish Chand, they led Northern League side Birkenhead United for 78 minutes until the home side levelled through Daniel Morgan, forcing the game into extra time.
Birkenhead took the match 3-1 but Franklin will have taken heart from their performance.
Bucklands Beach will head to Drury with memories still fresh of their Chatham Cup demise, in which they lost a one-side game to national champions Auckland City at Kiwitea Street.
Beach conceded nine goals in the thrashing — almost double what they’ve conceded so far in their league programme so far.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday June 21, 2023
Franklin United v Bucklands Beach
Drury Sports Complex, Drury, 8pm
Standings
READ MORE: All the Chatham Cup results from the weekend >>>>
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