Mogan Segadavan
IF the league standings are a yardstick, Callies should maintain their five-point lead in the Safa-NMB SAB league after they play Hotspurs at the Dyke tomorrow.
Although they are fourth on the log, Hotspurs trail the log-leaders by a massive 32 points and with just 10 matches remaining can only hope to finish as the best among the also-rans.
However, the log standings dol not mean they will be pushovers.
With so many players from the Northern Areas in the Callies squad, any match between them and Hotspurs or Fairview Rovers is always regarded as a derby.
In the last match between Callies and Rovers a fortnight ago, both teams ended with 10 players.
In the first round, Callies won 1-0.
Subs must repeat their first round win when they play Fairview Rovers at the NU2 Stadium. With a five-point leeway to make up, defeat could mean the end of their title hopes.
Lion City, who are the only other team with a reasonable chance of spoiling Callies' party, play Showvillage United at the NU2 Stadium. Like Subs, they cannot afford to drop any points. In the first round City won 2-0.
For the rest of the teams in the league, the remainder of the season will be a battle to avoid relegation.
Sunrise Development and Motherwell United are at the bottom, separated by one point. Highland Spurs and Tomorrow Stars are hovering just outside the danger zone.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Stars v Royal Bucks (NU9), Motherwell Academy v Central Acemates, Despatch Pioneers v Peace United (Khayamnandi), Subs v Fairview Rovers (NU2), Island City v Camper United (Uitenhage Central), Highland Spurs v Sunrise Development (Jabavu), Hotspurs v Callies (Dyke), Lion City v Showvillage United (NU2).