Smith Brace Keeps Hills United on Top
Prolific striker Mitchell Smith scored a brace to keep Hills United firmly perched at the top of the FNSW League One Men’s championship after beating table dwellers Central Coast United 2-1 last weekend.
Smith scored in the 35th and 63rd minutes, before being substituted at the tail end of the game by Daniel Padoani. Zac Pezzutto equalised for Central Coast in the 49th minute but Hills United regained the lead when Smith struck again.
Smith has a stunning strike rate this season, with 11 goals from 14 matches.
Hills United are enjoying one of the bestever football seasons and are seven points clear at the top, with 39 points, with one game in hand. St George (33) and SD Raiders (32) are second and third in the 16-team competition.
However, Hills United have three games in a week, which will be pretty challenging and physical for their squad.
They encounter fifth-placed Inter Lions FC on Saturday, June 3, at 7pm, at Landen Stadium, fourth-placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Wednesday, June 7, at 7.30pm, and complete their hectic schedule by facing the formidable SD Raiders in the match of the week on Saturday, June 10. The fixture, at Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank, kicks off at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the Hills women (27 points) have picked up from where they left off last season to stay close to the leaders, UNSW (32) and Central Coast Mariners (30).
Hills United missed a chance to close the gap when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nepean FC last Saturday. Isabella Sciberras scored an 11th-minute goal to cancel out the fifth-minute strike by Nepean’s Ella Joyce.
The Hills United women’s side are guests of Mt Druitt Rangers at Popondetta Park this Sunday, June 4, at 3pm, followed by a game against South Coast Flame at Bella Vista Public School ground on Sunday, June 11, at 3.45pm.
It has been a very productive week for Hills United with their Under-18s clocking off with two straight wins over Sydney FC and Wollongong Wolves. They lie fifth on 27 points in the table behind leaders Western Sydney Wanderers (39).
The Hills boys will now host Newcastle Jets on Saturday, June 3, at 3pm, keen to maintain their streak.
