Hello fellow football fans, apologies for the absence for the last couple of weeks, but the day job gets in the way occasionally.

We are now on week 9 and things are starting to get interesting.

But before we do that, I would like to take a moment to send my condolences to Charles Tiedt’s family.

Sadly, Charles passed away from a suspected heart attack last Saturday while refereeing a Men’s All Age Reserve Grade Match at Asquith Oval. I believe I can speak for all of football on the North Shore and further afield and say that Charles will be greatly missed.

As a mark of respect in memory of Charles Tiedt, all KDFRA referees will be observing a minutes silence at the start of each match this weekend. NSFA respectfully requests all players, fans and officials join the KDFRA in that minute of silence.

Since we last spoke, Kissing Point have moved in to first place bursting West Pymble’s bubble and Northbridge have climbed off the bottom of the table. Let’s take a look…

At this stage it looks like there will be rain tomorrow afternoon, so we also need to throw that in to the mix as we consider who is playing whom.

Kissing Point

That’s six in a row for Kissing Point, which is a pretty impressive run for any team at any level. Last week they beat Berowra but only managed a 2:1 scoreline.

This week they’re at home and welcome Northbridge to Auluba Oval. I can’t see this being a tricky day at the office for Kissing Point, but they will need to maintain their focus.

West Pymble

For a team that started so hard and fast, they have lost their way for the last month with a draw, two losses and finally a win against Old Barker. Last week’s 2:0 win should stop the rot and an away match to Knox won’t be a gimmee, but they should win this one.

North Sydney United

Three wins in a row has catapulted North Sydney in to third spot ahead of Lane Cove by one point and trailing West Pymble on goal difference. This is where a big loss last month to Kissing Point (5:2) hurts. Mind you, their goal difference is 4 (18 for, 14 against) whereas West Pymble’s is 15 (24 for, 9 against) so they have a way to go before they can grab second spot.

This week they’re away to Lindfield on Charles Bean Oval, playing under lights. Lindfield has only lost once at home this season, so this should be a good clash.

Lane Cove

Lane Cove trail North Sydney by one point and are ahead of Lindfield on goal difference. Sitting at fourth spot, they have to keep their winning ways if they want to stay in the top half of the table. Last week they beat Rangers 4:2 playing at home but this week they’re away to Old Barker. With a forecast of rain, Golden Jubilee Oval could be Barker’s secret weapon as it is a tough and foreboding place on a cold, wet day.

Lindfield

So far this season Lindfield has had a bit of mixed bag winning three out of four matches at home but only two from four when they’re away. Last week was one of those away wins beating Northbridge 2:1.

This week they face North Sydney at home. I think Charles Bean has been a good fortress for Lindfield this season, but North Sydney are on a winning streak so they better turn up with their A game. This game should be a thriller under lights, but I suspect it will end in a draw.

Chatswood Rangers

Chatswood need to pull a rabbit out of a hat and win two or three games on the trot to stay in touch with the top half of the table. Sitting in sixth spot they trail Lindfield by five points and they cannot afford for that gap to get any bigger.

Coming off a loss to Lane Cove last week they face bottom of the table Berowra at home, so they should take the points on the day.

Old Barker

I wondered what had come over the Premier League when Old Barker were in second spot early in the season. Not that Barker didn’t deserve the accolades, it’s just that there are usually a bunch of other teams busting to grab the top spots. However, I also didn’t want to see only one win from the next six games. That has pushed them to seventh spot and Lane Cove are a tough side to face this week.

Old Barker does have the home ground advantage this week and if they can get their firepower upfront sorted out, they could grab the points.

Knox United

Knox beat Lindfield on Charles Bean two weeks ago. That makes them the only team to beat Lindfield at home this season. But that’s a little ray of sunshine in a tough season. Last week they lost 3:0 to North Sydney and this week they have the pleasure of hosting West Pymble who will be determined to get their season going again.

This should be a solid game of football and well worth a look, but I suspect West Pymble will take the honours on this one.

Northbridge

Northbridge beat Berowra two weeks ago and only lost 2:1 to Lindfield last week, so things are looking-up for the boys down south. Their win and two draws flips them above Berowra.

But, this week they face Kissing Point. They do have the home ground advantage, but Kissing Point have had a formidable run of form over the last six matches, so I’d have to give KP the nod.

Berowra

Come on Berowra, I expected more of you than this. Bottom of the table? Only one win? And that was way back in round 2. Time to pull on those big boy pants and show us that you’re willing to fight to stay in this competition.

Last week’s loss to Kissing Point was only 2:1. That shows us that you have the ability. This week you’re away to Chatswood. I think this will be a tough ask, but it can be done.