Occupying eighth, the side is tasked with the tall order of needing at least one outright victory from its final two matches to even be considered a name worth mentioning in any final’s conversation – factoring in external results go the way of United.
In a similar vein, a loss will likely cut any hope of playoff contention short.
Its last outing saw the side triumph over Central Park in a Deakin Reserve classic, and now lying level with the Tigers on 36 points, United are in need of a serious jump of form.
Kicking off its do-or-die venture fresh from the bye, United will take to the field against 11th placed Euroa on Saturday.
The Magpies head to Princess Park off the back of a defeat to Central Park and will surely be looking to thwart United’s chances of a possible outside entrance into the top six.
Likely candidates to jumpstart United’s charge are bladesmen Keegan Armstrong and Chris Rendina (136 and 106 runs from the last three games), who have guided their side over the line in recent times.
In addition to the pair, skipper Dwain Vidler’s last cameo with the bat was easily one of his best in 2019/20, manufacturing a splendid 48 in what proved to be a match-defining knock.
On the bowling front, young gun Ethan McLaren leads the line with 11 Haisman wickets while Sri Lankan Chaminda Vidanapathirana trails close behind with 10.
However, a compelling team performance will be needed across all three facets of the game in the next month should United feature in the business end of the competition.
15°C