Match of the Round
South Cardiff FC v Singleton Strikers
Ulinga Oval, Saturday 7pm
Goals are predicted in the Saturday night showdown when the two top scoring teams South Cardiff and the Singleton Strikers face off.
The Gunners have scored 20 goals in six matches and top of the table Strikers have scored 19.
South Cardiff coach Perry Mellon is relishing the prospect of taking on the league leaders in front of their home supporters at Ulinga Oval.
"Excited to test ourselves against Singleton, who have been one of the most consistent teams this year," Mellon said.
"There are still quite a few niggling injuries in the group. We may get one of them back this week, a decision will be made later in the week.
"Our goal scoring threat has been tremendous this year being the league's top scorers but our defending hasn't been good enough and we know it needs to change ASAP.
"Whichever team wins both penalty areas on Saturday night will win the game.”
Singleton coach Mick Jarvis expected to face a barrage of heavy artillery from the Gunners.
"Southy will be tough as all sides are this year," Jarvis said.
"They've scored pretty much the same as us, 19 to us and 20 to them.
"But they've conceded three times as many goals as us, six us and 17 them, so we'll look to test them.
Jarvis said his squad had a fresh bill of health for the first of two matches between the clubs in four days, with Singleton and South Cardiff to also meet in round four of the Australia Cup.
Thornton Redbacks v Kahibah FC
Thornton Park, Friday 8pm
After two wins in a row Gary Wand's Thornton Redbacks had to settle for a draw last week against Wallsend, with Wand anticipating another battle against Kahibah on Friday night.
"We always have good battles with Kahibah. They will be very tough and keen to get back to gaining points," Wand said.
"We have to check on a couple of injuries we picked up but hopefully we should be fine.
"Our form had been pretty consistent until last week and while we managed a draw, the players were left disappointed after a late penalty and knowing that it was a below par performance by our recent standard.”
Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff was changing things up for the match.
"Thornton look to have been steadily getting better each week and playing at their home at night is always a tough day out and we seem every season to be playing at their home ground at night," Moncrieff said.
"We will have a different looking team playing first grade this week and with a completely different formation so we are hoping this will get us a different result.”
Belmont Swansea United v West Wallsend SFC
Blacksmiths Oval, Saturday 4.30pm
A resurgent Belmont Swansea United have been in a rich vein of form and will be fully rested after last week's bye.
BelSwans inflicted Singleton's only defeat of the season in a stunning 4-0 rout in round six.
West Wallsend are coming into the fixture following two defeats and will be looking to get back on track by silencing the crowd at Blacksmiths Oval on Saturday evening.
Wallsend FC v Toronto Awaba FC
The Gardens, Sunday 2.30pm
Wallsend come into the match at The Gardens on Sunday in good form after defeating South Cardiff 3-1 in round six and sharing the points in a 1-1 draw away from home against Thornton last week.
High-flying Toronto Awaba surged to the table last week but only for 24 hours.
The Stags are the only undefeated team in the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition after four wins and two draws.
Cessnock City FC have the bye