Hanwood FC have had a slight scheduling change in their weekend match-ups.
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The boys in Blue were initially supposed to play Sutherland’s Menai in the State Cup on Sunday.
The team who knocked out Hanwood in the quarter-finals last year won’t have the same chance after they forfeited the round.
This means Hanwood progress to the round of 32 and also their clash with Leeton United in the Griffith District Football Association first grade competition is back on.
Hanwood coach Brian Bertolin was a bit disappointed they wouldn’t get to play in front of their home crowd.
“It save us having another backlog of games,” he said.
“It would have been nice to play but (forfeits) more often than you’d think.
“I suppose the benefit is that it gets rid of another good side from the tournament.”
Bertolin said this change hasn’t affected the team’s mindset.
“Leeton in Leeton is always one of the hardest games to play,” he said.
“We’ve never ever had an easy game in Leeton and I expect nothing different this time.”
Leeton are hopeful their international players will be right to suit up for the game while Hanwood will be missing a few of their own.
Sevi Tropea pulled up sore from their mid-week clash with Yoogali SC and will likely out for the Saturday contest.
This combined with star striker Dan Johnson sticking his hand up to strap on the keeping gloves in the absence of the team’s regular shot stopper and Hanwood will have their work cut out for them.
Leeton assistant coach Joe Trifogli was hopeful those international clearances would go through.
“We’ve had one cleared so far, so he’ll be right, but we’re just waiting on the other three,” he said.
“Hopefully we find out (Thursday night), so we can select our team.
“Our local guys did a really great job last week, as well some of the younger ones that came up from 18s.”
Trifogli said if United stuck to their guns, a win would come on Saturday night.
“If we do everything right and play good football, we know we can win,” he said.
“It’s another game under lights, which is a good experience.
“Last time we were at home we played under lights.
“Everyone will need to step up again to get the job done.”
First grade will kick off at 7pm at No. 1 Oval on Saturday.
Hanwood currently sit 2nd on the ladder while Leeton are in 4th.