The buzzword is Hornets

Lismore Richmond Rovers player Jono See, whose pace has caused a few headaches for opposition sides this season.

The Goonellabah Hornets continue to sweep all before them in the Southern Cross Credit Union Men’s Premier league. Whilst the stand-out player has been star striker Dave Annetts, coach Mark Ambler will no doubt continue to emphasise to his players that it is the collective team effort that will determine the ultimate result in 2010.

Annetts is slotting goals this season as though his right boot has a Midas touch and despite increasing attention from opposition players, continues to find ways to put the ball in the net. The “yellow men” will back up from their huge Tuesday night clash against Rovers by meeting Lismore Thistles on Saturday. Both matches will impact upon the final standings and, within weeks of the finals, avoiding injuries and suspensions will become an even bigger variable to contend with.

Second-placed Rovers are the obvious premiership threat to Goonellabah when we get to the final series. This week they are in the unusual situation of having both their games scheduled before the weekend, so will hope that they wake Saturday morning having consolidated second position.

Bangalow will be without Christian Brown, who earned the wrath of the referee last week with two yellow cards, and the Bluedogs host Ballina with yet another obstacle to finding a win. Still one point behind Stars and facing an almost certain relegation next season, Alex Pratt’s men will be desperate to salvage something over the next few weeks. Ballina appear to be heading for another frustrating finish just short of the finals. They will back up on Sunday against Pottsville Beach, whose potency was shown last round when they found a way past Bangalow keeper Nathan Phelps six times, with Mick Kolovos getting three goals. The Panthers are hungry and at full strength, capable of beating any side. Their Saturday clash at Barrow Lane is against Italo Stars, who are always tough at home, but without Clint Willoughby marshalling the troupes from mid-field, the Panthers will start favourites.

Alstonville finally got the win that coach Troy Taylor has wanted and will fancy their chances against Byron Bay who are a mere shadow of the side from the start of the season. Villa will be too slick for the Rams, who look the most likely side still in contention for the finals mathematically, but it looks like they will fall away as they have forgotten how to win. Lismore Workers grip on the semi-finals remains tenuous and dependent upon sides around them faltering. You can feel the tension in the air as fortunes ebb and flow, which all makes for exciting football and hopefully brings the crowds out to watch.