Match of the Round
West Wallsend v Thornton Redbacks
Johnston Park, Sunday 21 May 2:30pm
West Wallsend are coming into the contest against the Thornton Redbacks this Sunday.
Westy will be filled with confidence after their recent victories over local rivals Wallsend and league leaders Toronto Awaba have undoubtedly boosted their confidence.
The convincing 3-0 win against Wallsend and the 2-0 victory over Toronto Awaba in their round 10 catch-up match have earned West Wallsend six valuable points in just four days.
These results have propelled West Wallsend into fourth place on the table, with a total of 16 points.
It has made the title race incredibly competitive and wide open. Currently, only four points separate six teams in the league standings.
With West Wallsend now on equal points with Kahibah in third place, a crucial three points in their upcoming match could consolidate their position and keep them within reach of the top of the table.
Despite having a bye last week, Thornton Redbacks coach Gary Wand still has some players who are uncertain for the upcoming match.
"At this stage, we have a few players affected by COVID-19, but we are hopeful they will recover in time for the weekend. Additionally, we still have a couple of players dealing with injuries,” Wand said.
“The bye came at a favourable moment, and the team is looking forward to the game and the start of a busy week."
The recent form of the Redbacks has experienced a dip, and they will be determined to bounce back from their recent setbacks.
Singleton Strikers v Belmont Swansea
Howe Park, Saturday 20 May 2:30pm
Both Singelton and Belmont will be back up their winning performances when they play this Saturday.
The Strikers regained their winning form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Kahibah last weekend.
Leading the charge in their success is the goal-scoring prowess of Joel Barner, who currently tops the Golden Boot race with 11 goals to his name.
With 19 points, the Strikers sit in second place, trailing league leaders Toronto Awaba by four points.
Securing all three points in their upcoming match is crucial to prevent the Stags from extending their lead at the top of the table.
Last year's premiers Belmont Swansea have had an inconsistent season so far compared to previous seasons. They will be coming into the game with confidence following their 4-2 victory against Cessnock City Hornets last weekend.
Eager to climb up the rankings, BelSwans currently occupy the fifth position with 14 points.
Kahibah v Cessnock City Hornets
Kahibah Oval, Saturday 20 May 2:30pm
Both Kahibah and the Hornets will be looking to respond from their defeats when they play this Saturday.
After suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat against the Singleton Strikers last weekend, coach Mat Moncrieff is looking forward to the uplifting support of their home crowd to regain their winning momentum.
"It's Old Boys Day for us on Saturday so we are hoping for a big crowd to help us get back into the winners circle," Moncrieff said.
The team anticipates the return of Jamie Hadlow from suspension, while also keeping their fingers crossed for the comebacks of Jake Kepreotes and Riley Ferguson, who have been absent in recent games.
"It's always a competitive challenge against Cessnock and they got the better of us in the first round so we will be keen to turn that result around on Saturday," said Moncrieff.
Riley Ferguson has been a standout performer for Kahibah, showcasing his strong goal-scoring prowess with six goals this season. His impressive form places him in the third position for the Golden Boot race.
The Hornets are hoping to turn things around, coming off the back of two straight defeats. As a result, they are currently sitting in eighth place.
With a valuable three points at stake, a win in their upcoming match could potentially propel Cessnock back into the top five and keep them within striking distance of the frontrunners.
South Cardiff v Wallsend
Ulinga Oval, Sunday 21 May 2:30pm
South Cardiff will be determined to bounce back from their disappointing 5-1 defeat against Toronto Awaba last weekend.
Although equal on points, the two sides are currently separated by goal difference with South Cardiff in fifth and Wallsend in seventh.
The Gunners possess an impressive attacking arsenal, having scored a league-leading 32 goals this season. The goal-scoring prowess of Sam Modderno will be crucial in their quest for South Cardiff’s redemption. Modderno has found the back of the net eight times this season, placing him in second position in the Golden Boot race.
Wallsend will be eager to put their recent 3-0 defeat to Westy behind them and make a push for the top four.
Currently with both teams only two points outside of the top four, a win is crucial to help strengthen their finals hopes.
Toronto Awaba
Bye
