Match of the Round
Kahibah FC v South Cardiff FC
Kahibah Oval, Sunday 2:30pm
Kahibah FC will arrive home for the first time in 11 weeks on Sunday when they host South Cardiff FC at Kahibah Oval.
What should have been an exciting homecoming last Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash against Belmont Swansea was the latest casualty in what has been a wet and wild season.
This Sunday’s clash will be the first game played at the venue since round nine back in April, with Kahibah playing six away games since then and their three home games being washed out and either relocated or rescheduled.
They have only lined up at Kahibah Oval twice this season, both of which they produced 4-0 victories, which makes the round 21 matchup a tough one for a South Cardiff side that is itching for a win.
The Gunners have top-four aspirations this year and they were well on track earlier in the season.
But their form has dipped in recent weeks and they have been unable to find a win in their past six outings, which has seen them slip to sixth place on the table.
Perry Mellon’s men are now five points outside of the promotion zone and are well aware that any result other than a victory come Sunday would be a major blow.
But they were in a similar position last season before producing a sensational run home to reach the grand final.
Kahibah is second on the table with 28 points, seven clear of the Gunners.
While Mat Moncrieff’s men have their eyes on a bigger picture, they are eager to avoid a clean sweep this Sunday against a Gunners outfit who have already beaten them twice this season. South Cardiff prevailed 2-1 in round three and 4-3 in round 12, but they now face a Kahibah team that will be much harder to beat.
Kahibah are on a three-game winning streak and are unbeaten in six games since their last defeat, which was against South Cardiff.
They have earned 16 points out of a possible 18 since then and they are eager to keep their red-hot form rolling in front of a home crowd on Sunday.
Thornton Redbacks FC v Cessnock City Hornets FC
Thornton Park, Saturday 2:30pm
Thornton Redbacks will host Cessnock City Hornets at Thornton Park on Saturday afternoon in a battle between two sides who are determined to return to winning ways.
Thornton has punched above their weight in 2024 and has spent a lot of the season in the top four.
But a four-game losing streak has seen them slide to fifth and they now sit five points outside the promotion zone.
The Redbacks’ schedule is proving tough at the moment as they get set to play their seventh game in June on Saturday.
They must dig deep and find a way to get the job done to end their five-game winless run.
The Hornets are also on a four-game losing streak and are winless in six matches as they find themselves struggling in eighth place.
Being 13 points behind West Wallsend has made a top-four finish almost certainly unattainable, but they are determined to finish the season in style regardless.
That starts this Saturday against a Redbacks outfit they have been unable to topple in 2024.
Thornton prevailed 2-1 in round three at Metford and 1-0 in round 12 at Cessnock and the Hornets are looking to avoid a sweep when they arrive at Thornton Park for the first time this year.
Singleton Strikers FC v Belmont Swansea United FC
Howe Park, Saturday 2:30pm
Singleton Strikers FC is determined to achieve what only one team has been able to in 2024 when they host Belmont Swansea at Howe Park on Saturday afternoon.
BelSwans are on top of the table with a 13-point lead following 13 wins, two draws and just one loss this year and are snowballing their way towards the premiership and automatic promotion.
Mick Stafford’s side’s only loss so far was back in round 10 in April and they are unbeaten in eight games since then.
Their five most recent games have been clean sheets as well as they continue to prove to be the most dominant team in the league.
Singleton has improved significantly after what was a poor start to the season.
They are still sitting in seventh place on the nine-team table but are unbeaten in their past five games and have kept three clean sheets in that run.
The Strikers are seven points outside the top four with just seven games left to play but they are daring to dream that a top-four spot this year is achievable.
To make that possible, Doug West’s men must get the job done against the league leaders in front of a home crowd on Saturday.
It will be a tough challenge against a BelSwans team that beat them 3-0 in round three and 5-2 in round 12, but the Singleton men are confident they have what it takes.
Wallsend FC v West Wallsend SFC
The Gardens, Sunday 2:30pm
Round 21 action will conclude at The Gardens on Sunday afternoon when Wallsend FC hosts local rivals West Wallsend SFC in the third and final derby of the campaign.
For Wallsend, it will be the first time they have played at the venue in 14 weeks. The last time they lined up at The Gardens was back in round six in March and since then they have had a run of away games and relocated home fixtures due to the abundance of rain over the past three months.
It has been a tough year for the last-place Red Devils side that only have one win and one draw to their name from 15 matches.
They are looking to finish the season in strong fashion.
West Wallsend are in a far more commanding position on the table as they sit fourth.
They are level on 26 points with Toronto Awaba and can climb into third if they earn a point on Sunday as the Stags have the round 21 bye.
The Bluebells are unbeaten in their past seven games as their quest for promotion begins to gain some serious momentum.
They are looking to complete a clean sweep of Wallsend in 2024 following 3-2 and 3-1 wins in rounds three and 12.
Toronto Awaba FC have the bye.