BOOMERS FC needs only a draw to claim the league title, but it won’t be playing for one on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Andrew Grove’s top-placed side leads Albury United by just a point heading into the blockbuster last-round clash at Jelbart Park.
A draw will give Boomers the title and maintain its one-point lead at the top, so the Greens need to win and get the three points to claim their first title since 2011.
“You can’t go out to draw,” Grove said.
“That doesn’t make sense.
“If we happen to be 1-1 in the last five minutes, we probably won’t be sending everyone forward.
“But we’re definitely going out to win. It’s not very often it comes down to the last week.”
Grove led the Boomers to the title in 2012 – his first season as coach - when the club snapped a 17-year championship drought.
Teammates have, but Grove has never won the cup.
“I’d probably prefer to win the league, but I’ve never won a cup,” he said.
“To play the whole season, it’s a long season, and to win the league at the end of it is a great achievement.”
Not much separated the clubs in round nine, with Tom Kirwan and Pieter Noordewier helping Boomers to a 2-1 win at Glen Park.
Caleb Martin opened the scoring for United after 22 minutes.
“They’ve (United) slipped under the radar,” Grove said.
“They haven’t been making any headlines, just getting wins.”
