Match of the Round
Toronto Awaba FC v Cessnock City Hornets
Lyall Peacock Field, Saturday 2.30pm
Toronto Awaba maintained their position at the top of HIT106.9 Northern League One after the Singleton Strikers lost to Cessnock City last weekend.
Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles was disappointed the rampaging Stags did not get a gallop due to the washout.
"I was extremely disappointed our match versus West Wallsend was postponed last week,” Hiles said.
"We had a fit, full squad available and we were keen to keep the momentum going.”
While the Stags are enjoying life at the top of the table, Hiles was not getting carried away after 10 rounds.
"I tend not to get too distracted by the table at this stage as there is a lot of football to be played and the competition is so tight,” Hiles said.
"We'll just keeping working away, one week at a time and come late August the table will take care of itself.
"Looking forward to getting back on our home pitch against a very competitive, well drilled Cessnock team.
"They've had some great results and are always a handful so we're under no illusions this will be a tough game.
"Only player we lose is Clancy Muddle who has taken a work opportunity and is most likely gone for the season.”
The Hornets have been flying up the table but coach Brad Miles knows the Stags are on a roll.
"Toronto have plenty of talent and experience in their squad and Jarrad will have them primed ready to go," Miles said.
"If we want to compete with them, we have to turn up with a good mindset and work really hard for 90 minutes on and off the ball and take our chances when they come.
"We train really hard to make sure we don't back off and give ourselves every chance of winning.
"Not sure about our final line up until later in the week as we have a few niggling injuries that we are managing at the moment.”
Singleton Strikers v Thornton Redbacks
Howe Park, Saturday 2.30pm
Singleton Strikers have been the front runners of the competition until the last two weeks when they were leapfrogged by Toronto Awaba.
The Strikers will be looking to bounce back following unexpected back-to-back losses in rounds 9 and 10.
The Redbacks are also looking to bounce back after losing 4-0 to South Cardiff last weekend.
Belmont Swansea United v Wallsend FC
Blacksmiths Oval, Saturday 2.30pm
Round eight was a turning point for Wallsend after defeating league leaders Toronto Awaba 4-3 backed up by a 4-2 victory against Cessnock City the following week.
Wallsend will be fully rested after last week's bye and chomping at the bit to maintain their momentum.
Belmont Swansea will look to bounce back from last week's 2-0 defeat to Kahibah in front of their passionate home crowd at Blacksmiths Oval.
Kahibah FC v West Wallsend SFC
Kahibah Oval, Sunday 2.30pm
Kahibah moved into fourth position on 14 points after defeating Belmont Swansea 2-0 last weekend.
This year's competition is super tight where a victory will consolidate Kahibah's status at the business end of the table whereas defeat could result in dropping into the bottom half.
West Wallsend will be fully rested after their clash with Toronto Awaba was postponed last week.
The Bluebells have been in good form, defeating Belmont Swansea 2-0 in round eight and sharing the points with South Cardiff in an entertaining 3-3 draw in round nine.
Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff wants to keep building the momentum.
“Westy on their day are as strong as any team in the competition and always bring their best when they meet us,” Moncrieff said.
"We are looking forward to this weekend's game on our pitch that is still in very good condition.
"We lose Jamie Hadlow to suspension but we look to welcome back for selection Riley Ferguson, Liam Whitehead, Robbie Turnbull, Ben Higgins, Rhys Tippett, Scott Carter and Luke Jones all who were missing last weekend.
"Hoping that we can put in similar displays in both grades this week like we did last weekend.”
South Cardiff FC have the bye
