Match of the Round
Thornton Redbacks v Toronto Awaba FC
Thornton Park, Saturday 2pm
Thornton Redbacks FC coach Scott Winslade said his side needs to remain composed when they welcome Toronto Awaba FC to Thornton Park on Saturday afternoon in the round four match of the round.
Thornton is yet to win a game in season 2025, suffering two 4-1 losses and was unable to take the field in round three due to wet weather.
“They’ve just lacked that little bit of composure, and I can say we’ve been in both games, and it’s been a certain block of time, but we have to do a lot more,” Winslade said.
“If we concede a goal, we have to be a lot cleverer than what we’ve been with the ball in the last two games because the other teams have obviously scored within two or three minutes after that again.
“We’ve got to accept what’s happened, kind of move the ball properly and don’t do anything rash that’s going to put ourselves in a position where suddenly we’re 2-0 down.”
The Redbacks were defeated 4-0 in their Hahn Australia Cup match last Tuesday, but Winslade admitted it was the club's reserve grade team on the pitch.
“I made the boys train instead of the (Hahn) Australia Cup,” Winslade said.
“It’s kind of a motivational thing, that opportunity for them was missed because we didn’t take the opportunities on the weekend.
“We came in on Tuesday when the cup game was going on, and we discussed what happened, went out trained and since then the boys have trained really hard.
“I think they all realise that we have a good side. It’s just waiting for it to click a little bit sometimes and just the final passes and final movements that have cost us.
“So hopefully this week will be the one.”
Winslade recognised the competitiveness in the competition this year.
“The one thing I’ve noticed this year is there’s going to be no easy points,” said Winslade.
“I think every team has got something about them and everyone’s going to have to earn every point they get.
“I think there will be a few shock results every now and then but I really don’t see a giant side and a weak side.
“I think everyone’s got something about them this year, so I think it’s going to be very competitive.”
Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles also believed there are no easy games this season.
“You can’t look at the table and think there’s going to be an easy game because you’ll just get turned around and put on your bums,” Hiles said.
“There are no easy games in this competition, you can’t be complacent, so we’ll treat it like they’re top of the table.
“We’ll have the right attitude and mentality again.”
Hiles said he won’t be taking anything for granted when they face the Redbacks.
“It’s going to be another challenge up there, it’s always a tough game against Thornton,” Hiles said.
“But you just can’t take anything for granted and you prepare like it’s a grand final.
“I look forward to the challenge.”
The Stags are yet to concede a goal so far this season, netting seven themselves but Hiles acknowledged that there is still work for his side to do.
“We need to start hard and fast from that first whistle and harder higher up the pitch, but the boys are going well, and the combinations play well,” Hiles said.
The Stags full squad will be available this weekend besides Ethan Wilson who has broken his foot.
The Redbacks will be without Caleb Walz as he is away for a touch football tournament. But the side will welcome back Josh Gorman after he received a second yellow in round two for dissent.
South Cardiff FC v Cessnock City Hornets
Ulinga Oval, Friday 8pm
Cessnock City Hornets coach Josh Maguire says his side will be on a high when they travel to Ulinga Oval on Friday night to take on South Cardiff FC.
The Hornets enter round four with one win, one draw and one loss to their name after a 2-2 draw with West Wallsend in round three.
“I think Westy are the top team in the league, no one can deny the quality they have,” Maguire said.
“With the draw they were leading and obviously went down to nine men so sat everyone at the back, but you can’t deny the quality they have.
“But a draw doesn’t stop the momentum from last week, so everyone is on a high going into Friday night.”
So far this season the Hornets have netted four goals and conceded four goals, but Maguire understands the style of football his side plays does leave them at a risk.
“We’ve been caught on the break, so we need to look at that,” said Maguire.
“We play attacking football with a lot up front and it's a risk I'm willing to take.
“I think we have the players and cattle to play that way.”
Maguire hopes his team finds the back of the net first this weekend after conceding first in all three matches played so far this season.
“I would like for us to be more solid for the first 20 minutes and not concede first,” Maguire said.
“We have shown resilience to come back and win but I would like us to be the team to score first and win.
“I want them to continue what we’re doing, I believe we’re getting better each week.
“They need to continue to believe in what we are doing, and I think results will come from that.
“From a coaching point of view, you can’t ask for more, they're doing the right things.”
The Hornets will be without Thomas Sowden after a tackle against him in round three opened his shin requiring stitches.
South Cardiff will look to continue their undefeated streak after their round three match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
The Gunners have won one and drew one so far this season, with the two results coming from goals in the dying moments.
The side will need to capitalise on early chances and look to enter the second half with the lead for the first time this season.
The Gunners will be without Anthony Carter after he received a red card at the end of their round two match for violent conduct.
The two sides will come out firing both fighting for their second win, resulting in an exhilarating match to open round four.
West Wallsend SFC v Kahibah FC
Johnston Park, Saturday 4:30pm
Kahibah FC coach Blair Newham wants to see an immediate reaction from his side when they face West Wallsend SFC on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams were defeated for the first time this season in round three at the hands of Lake Macquarie City FC 4-2.
“I’d love to see what they’re like during the week because we haven’t had a loss,” Newham said.
“Three wins in three games if you include the (Hahn Australia) Cup, so it’s been that sort of winning feeling.
“I want a reaction, an immediate reaction.
“Football’s not easy and there’s only very few teams that go through a whole season undefeated, so as I said it’s no reason to panic, we just get back and do our job better.”
The Rams have a positive track record against West Wallsend with two 4-1 victories and a 2-1 loss in 2024.
They will look to continue their track record this weekend and rewrite their wrongs from round three.
West Wallsend walk into round four undefeated with one win and two 2-2 draws.
The side went down to nine men in their 2-2 draw with Cessnock City Hornets in round three and will need to remain disciplined to prevent the Rams from taking all three points on Saturday.
The Bluebells will welcome Blake Redman back to the side after serving his two-match suspension in the side's Hahn Australia Cup match last Wednesday and round three.
But the side will be without Dain Greentree after he received a second yellow for a reckless challenge in the 69th minute of round three and second goalkeeper Isaac Watts who was sent his marching orders in the 71st minute.
Dudley Redhead United SFC v Lake Macquarie City FC
Lydon Oval, Sunday 2pm
Two sides looking for their second wins of the season will go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon at Lydon Oval when Dudley Redhead United host Lake Macquarie City FC.
Lakes enter round four on a high following their first win of the season defeating Kahibah FC 4-2 on Friday night.
The Roosters came out firing and showcased their quick transitions and strong attacking end.
But the side will need to keep 11 on the pitch this weekend after two red cards in just as many weeks.
Lakes will welcome back Matthew Langton after he received a second yellow in round two for stopping a promising attack.
But the side will be without Angelo De Grandis after he received a straight red for serious foul play in round three.
Dudley will hope a postponed round three match due to wet weather hasn’t put a damper on their momentum as they search for another three points.
The Thistles won their first game of the season 1-0 in round two against Singleton Strikers.
The side had a strong performance, dominating parts of the match against the Strikers.
Dudley was able to capitalise on their opponents going down to 10 men, something that may benefit them this weekend with the track record the Roosters have at the moment.
But they will need to convert their chances early and not wait until the dying moments of the match when they face Lakes.
Wallsend FC v Singleton Strikers
Ladbroke Gardens, Sunday 4pm
Singleton Strikers coach Doug West will be looking for leadership from his side when they travel to Ladbroke Gardens on Sunday afternoon to take on Wallsend FC.
The Strikers enter round four with one win and two losses to their name after falling short 3-0 to Toronto Awaba in round three.
West wants to see more energy from his side as they close out round four.
“I want to see a little bit more leadership and one-on-one defending,” West said.
“I thought we were a little loose and I thought we came off second best too many times.
“So a bit more energy and competitiveness to win those one-on-one battles.”
The Strikers have an impressive record against the Red Devils when they head-to-head in 2024, as they took all three wins, netting nine goals and conceding just one.
Wallsend will be searching for their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils didn’t take the field in round three with their match postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Wallsend will need to tighten defence when they face the Strikers after conceding six goals in the first two games and scoring one.
The Red Devils will welcome back Piaget Abayo to the squad after serving his one-match suspension for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the side’s Hahn Australia Cup match on Wednesday night.
