Match of the Round
South Cardiff FC v Belmont Swansea United
Ulinga Oval, Saturday 7pm
Something has got to give as undefeated South Cardiff welcome reigning champions Belmont Swansea United to Ulinga Oval on Saturday night.
Belswans are also unbeaten this season while South Cardiff have been firing, scoring nine goals in two matches and a platform coach Perry Mellon is looking to build on.
"We are looking forward to testing ourselves against last year’s champions," Mellon said.
"If we play with the same mentality as last week we will give ourselves the best chance of coming away with some points.
"Izaac Terry has a concussion from Friday night so he is out along with a couple of others who are unavailable.
"It's a good opportunity for the players coming in to step up and show why they should be playing first grade more often.”
BelSwans go into the match on the back of a victory from last week and a clean bill of health.
Belmont Swansea coach Joshua Rufo knows what to expect from the hosts.
"Nil injury concerns or player updates [for this weekend],” Rufo said.
"We are looking forward to the night game and we expect a really competitive contest.”
Toronto Awaba FC v Thornton Redbacks FC
Lyall Peacock Field, Saturday 2.30pm
After last week's 4-4 goal fest at South Cardiff, Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles is looking forward to playing in front of their home supporters and getting back to their winning ways.
Three points will elevate the Stags to the top of HIT106.9 Northern League One as frontrunners Singleton Strikers have the bye.
"Definitely looking forward to welcoming Thornton to our home pitch and hopefully have a decent crowd to support the team as they're playing some great football," Hiles said.
"Looking to get back to winning ways but Thornton are always a massive challenge, so we'll be prepared for a big game.
"Everyone seems to have pulled up ok from Friday’s match.
"We will have our captain Zane Winslade returning from work commitments and Nick Roberts will be out through suspension.
"Peter McPherson is getting close to a return but won't figure this weekend.”
Thornton Redbacks coach Gary Wand is itching to get back on the pitch after last week's bye.
"We are looking forward to the game after our weekend off," Wand said.
"Always a tough game at Toronto and they are going well at the moment.
"In terms of injuries, we still have a couple out but we also get another one back.”
West Wallsend SFC v Cessnock City FC
Johnston Park, Sunday 2.30pm
Victorious in the derby and riding high from painting the town blue last weekend, West Wallsend have an opportunity to consolidate their third-placed position in front of their home supporters on Sunday afternoon.
Cessnock City lose two players but get two back.
"Zac Brown is out for the next few weeks with an ankle injury from the BelSwans match. Isaac Peek is out through work. Zac Kronholm is back from suspension and Jayden Chadwick is back from Covid," Hornets coach Brad Miles said.
"Looking forward to the game. Usually it’s a very competitive, physical game against a good West Wallsend team.”
Kahibah FC v Wallsend FC
Kahibah Oval, Sunday 4.50pm
Round four finishes on a high note as Kahibah entertain Wallsend on Sunday afternoon.
It will be the first time Kahibah get to play their eye-catching brand of attacking football in front of their home fans at Kahibah Oval.
Wallsend coach Michael Gatt was acutely aware of Kahibah's attacking flare as he looks to plug the defence after conceding three last week.
"Kahibah are always a very challenging side to play against as they have some quality players and also can change their attack very quickly," Gatt said.
"Definitely keen to stop conceding goals. It’s great we are scoring goals but we can't win games conceding three goals a week.
"We have no players returning and will be very similar to the squad from the last few weeks.”
Singleton Strikers FC have the bye