HENWOOD Park coach Matt Menser rates in-form Leeton the "dark horse" of the Pascoe Cup premiership race, hailing their fortitude in recovering from a 2-0 deficit to beat Young with ten men in last week's elimination final.
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Leeton takes on Henwood Park in another cut-throat final at Rawlings Park on Sunday after the Hawks were sunk 2-1 by Lake Albert in an extra time qualifying final thriller.
Seeking their first top grade premiership since 1993, Leeton has earned their spot in the final four after they needed to beat top three sides Hanwood and Lake Albert just to make finals, before their comeback against the Lions.
United will be without skipper Joey Fondacaro after he was sent off late in the first half against Young, but his side still rallied with three unanswered goals to keep their season alive.
"To score three goals with ten men, that's pretty impressive," Menser said.
"It shows they've got a lot of character and fight in them. They're the dark horse for the competition, they're in good form and had to get results against good teams just to get into finals.
"They're the only team we haven't beaten other than Wagga United this year, it will be an interesting match."
The Hawks are the only top five side Leeton hasn't beaten this year after they played out two 1-all draws in consecutive weeks midway through the season.
"I was super pleased with the boys (against Young), they showed a heap of belief, " Leeton coach Frank Alampi said.
"We played them (Hawks) two weeks straight, they were both very tight games and I don't imagine this one's going to be any different."
Menser's first half penalty shot against Lake Albert was brilliantly saved by Sharks keeper Hayden Callander, but he's brushed off the missed opportunity.
"I could have done better, to be honest, but it is what it is," he said.
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