WESTON coach Michael Boogaard has singled out Keegan Wolfenden as the man his side must overcome if they are to break their Valentine Phoenix hoodoo in today's first leg of the Northern NSW State League semi-finals.
Weston are the minor premiers but Phoenix have beaten them in four out of their past five encounters, the fifth ending in a draw.
Boogaard hoped his full-strength side could overcome the recent losses but was wary of Phoenix's danger men.
"Shane Paul's done well for them since he's got back from the World Cup and Keegs [Wolfenden] is always dangerous coming forward," Boogaard said. "You've got to watch him at both ends. Our strikers haven't been able to get over the top of him."
Boogaard said his side were boosted by the return Rhys Tippett from a vacation in England and Matt Toohey from a hamstring injury sustained in the last match against Phoenix.
Weston have the home advantage for the first leg.
Tomorrow's semi-final between Edgeworth and Hamilton starts at Darling Street Oval at 2.30pm.
The first division semi-final decider between Maitland and Charlestown City Blues kicks off at Cooks Square Park today at 2.30pm.
The Blues take a 2-1 advantage into the game.
Newly promoted Lake Macquarie have a 2-1 lead in the other semi-final and host Lambton Jaffas tomorrow.
The games at Macquarie Field have been put back two hours to accommodate the Lake Macquarie Running Festival.
The Roosters have a 2-1 edge over the Jaffas going to Edden Oval.
Lambton will be without suspended skipper Stasi Christodoulides.
Injury will force Lake Macquarie coach Chris Turner to start star recruit Andre Gumprecht and central playmaker Justin Tannock on the bench.
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