Charlestown Azzurri v Maitland FC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Sunday 5pm
Charlestown Azzurri coach Heath Whyte says his side is looking to get one back on Maitland FC when they go head-to-head in the Women’s League Cup Final at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies will look to secure back-to-back Women’s League Cup titles after they defeated Broadmeadow Magic 4-3 on home turf in 2024.
Azzurri will be determined to secure their second piece of silverware for the season after they were crowned the 2025 HMRI Charity Shield winners at the start of the year.
The Blues have had a smooth journey to the final after they defeated Lake Macquarie City FC 2-0 in the quarter-final before they were victorious 3-0 over Newcastle Olympic in the semi-final to advance through to the final.
Maitland and Azzurri have faced each other once this year in the NPL Women’s NNSW competition, where the Magpies comfortably defeated Azzurri 3-0 away from home.
But Whyte said that Charlestown had put that result behind them and was confident that his side could get over the line on Sunday.
“We are feeling good. We feel like we have played reasonably well our last couple of games and gotten ourselves back on track,” Whyte said.
“Every game is important to us, we approach each with the respect it deserves. If it is a normal round, we look to secure three points and for this match it would be nice to put another trophy in the cabinet.
“We have had a good break since our Friday night game which has meant we have had pretty strong training sessions.
“Last time we played them [Maitland], we had a lot of things going on that day and it wasn’t our best. We had a few contributing factors in the lead up to that game but we put that one behind us.
“Maitland is a good side and they have good players but we are also a good side with good players.
“We have a very good team and we have proven that thus far.
“We are looking forward to what I see at the moment to be a top two challenge. It would be good to get one back on them.”
Whyte stated that the two sides would have to adjust their regular game plans to suit the synthetic playing surface of LMRFF.
“We are both unfamiliar with the playing surface which might lead to a bit scrappier play or a lot more transition. I hope both teams can adjust,” Whyte said.
“You have to change your style of play with that surface being a little bit quicker. A shorter game is what we will have to play on that surface.”
But Maitland’s coach Joe Wright said that the pitch surface won’t make as big of an impact on his side’s game plan.
“I don't think the surface affects our style of play too much. We can play how we want to on a synthetic or grass surface,” Wright said.
The Magpies have started their 2025 campaign with a bang as they sit at the top of the NPLW NNSW table and are the only side to be unbeaten in all competitions.
Wright’s side continued their positive momentum into their cup run after they were served the bye for the quarter finals before they defeated Adamstown Rosebud JFC 2-0 in the semi-finals to advance into the final.
But Wright said that his side would need to be at their best and perform if they want the silverware.
“It will be very tough. Azzurri are a good side. We will have to play really well if we want to do the same as last year,” Wright said.
“We want to keep doing what we have been doing well with our processes. We won’t change the way we are doing things but we know this is a different competition.
“We still want to play our brand of football. We know they [Azzurri] have players that have good qualities but if we perform as a team and understand our roles and responsibilities, we can nullify their threats.
“I think it is important to celebrate good performances but this is a different competition and weeks have passed since we played them.
“With every competition you go in you want to win it.
“It would be nice to get the win but there is still days of preparation where we will be putting in the work to get a positive outcome on the weekend.
“I think it will be a tough game that’s highly competitive and has a good intensity which is exactly what you want from a cup final.”
Wright confirmed that all players would be available for selection for the final match except Kayla Wright who may miss the match as she returns from a concussion, while Azzurri’s Brianna Williams is ruled out for the match after she suffered a concussion in round 10 of the NPLW NNSW.
Before the first grade match, the Women’s League Cup will also feature finals for reserve grade, under-17s, under-15s and under-13s this Sunday at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
To kick off the day, Charlestown Azzurri will play Adamstown Rosebud JFC in the Under-13s at 8:30am. This will be followed by the Under-15s match which will also feature Charlestown Azzurri and New Lambton FC at 10:30am.
The Under-17s finals will see Newcastle Olympic and Mid Coast FC go head-to-head at 12:30pm. The reserve grade final will see Charlestown Azzurri take on Adamstown Rosebud JFC at 2:30pm before Maitland FC meets Charlestown Azzurri in the first grade final at 5pm.
