Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Hardrock 2nd with 60 points, Highlanders 8th with 40, 20 apart. The last five rounds placed Highlanders no better than 13th for form, against 8th in the standings. In league terms the two rates read 0.79/0.69 for Highlanders and 1.76/0.66 for Hardrock (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 0.94.
Hardrock entered with five wins in a row, having scored in 11 consecutive games. Highlanders had banked 5 of the last 15 points on offer; Hardrock, 15.
The venue was Barbourfields Stadium, with room for 25,000 spectators. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.
Goal scorers
Hardrock: 1 goal with no recorded scorer