Match of the Round
Toronto Awaba FC v Dudley Redhead United
Lyall Peacock Oval, Saturday 4pm
Dudley Redhead United coach Mark Wilson says his team is up for the challenge when they make their HIT106.9 Northern League One debut against Toronto Awaba at Lyall Peacock Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The match of the round sees Dudley return to Northern NSW Football’s second-tier men’s competition for the first time since 2010 after finishing just one point ahead of Newcastle Suns in Zone League One.
Wilson was confident his team would be up for the challenge but was realistic about the obstacles the season ahead posed.
“The boys are really positive and looking forward to the challenge. We’ve been in the competition below for a couple of years and it’s a big step up and a change,” Wilson said.
“In a 10-team competition, all clubs will be competitive and you have to be up for it week in and week out.
“Last year we could not have been up for it against some sides but still perform well but we can’t be like that now.
“The trick is going to be being competitive week in and week out. That will be the biggest challenge.”
The introduction of relegation to the competition poses a threat to all teams but looms at the back of the freshly promoted Thistles' minds.
“Relegation is in the back of the mind, it’s also at the front of the mind so we want to finish high,” Wilson said.
Wilson advised that Dudley's roster has been notably altered, with five starters from the 2024 campaign stepping away from the club.
“We have lost a fair bit of experience but that was going to happen at one stage but we’ve signed a few young guys to give it a crack,” Wilson said.
Despite the changes within the team Dudley are determined to continue their style of play.
“We’re not going to change what we’ve been doing,” Wilson said.
“It’s served us well and got us here. It’s going to be quicker and more physical so it’s adjusting and maintaining the key principles of how we play.”
Wilson is eager for the club’s first HIT106.9 Northern League One match in 15 years to be against promotion contenders Toronto Awaba.
“It’s a good way to start. We know they will be strong and from what I’m hearing they have a few local boys playing again and when you have local boys going back they will be a tight and solid group,” Wilson said.
“It will be a challenge but we welcome them first up.”
Dudley will be without skipper Damian Cox and Joey Soergel both of whom received red cards in the 2024 Zone League One grand final.
Promotion to the NPL Men’s NNSW competition was within Toronto Awaba’s grasp but two quick goals from Adamstown Rosebud kept them in HIT106.9 Northern League One.
But two-time coach of the year Jarrad Hiles is hopeful his side will be in the National Premier League in 2026.
“I take on games one at a time but being so close at the end and falling short is upsetting, especially for the boys,” Hiles said.
“We will be keen to get to the end again and hopefully be promoted this year but it will start this weekend and there’s no easy games.”
The Stags have retained almost their entire 2024 squad only strengthening their side with the additions of Luke Callan (Charlestown Azzurri), Sam Maxwell (New Lambton) and Zane Winslade (returning from injury).
“They’re enthusiastic boys, keen to help and are local boys keen to rip in and help the team out and get promoted,” Hiles said.
“They bring in experience and hunger and it’s good for them to get behind the local club to get back to the NPL.
“We missed Zane out there last year so it’s good he’s back. It’s like having a new signing with him coming back.”
Hiles is under no illusion that the new kids on the block will be an easy match up.
“They will be fired up for a big match and when I used to play, Dudley was always tough, young and fit,” Hiles said.
“Two years ago they knocked us out of the Australia Cup so we know it won’t be an easy side to go up against.
“Our pre-season was a bit clunky so we will need a big effort put in this weekend.”
Toronto will be without Connor Fitzpatrick in round one after he received a straight red for violent conduct in the second leg of the promotion/relegation play-off semi-finals and will miss newest addition Maxwell for the first two rounds due to holidays.
Lake Macquarie City FC v South Cardiff FC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Friday 8pm
Lake Macquarie City FC coach Peter Preston is determined that his side will free themselves of their ‘relegated’ label when they host South Cardiff at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in the opening match of season 2025 on Friday night.
The Roosters were automatically relegated from the NPL Men’s NNSW competition in 2024 with just four points to their name but Preston is confident in his team.
“If we play well and are consistent I believe we can give ourselves the chance to be promoted,” Preston said.
“Going down is extremely tough and there’s lots of talented players in Northern League One who can’t commit to the NPL so we will face different challenges each week for each team we go up against.
“As long as we fight each week and give it our best.”
Lakes enters the 2025 campaign with a significantly altered lineup.
“We lost a few boys who wanted to stay in the NPL so they were kind of forced changes, with about eight to ten boys from last year leaving,” said Preston.
“We’ve retained our good young ones and have added to it along the way. We’re confident we will be competitive.
“The players understand what we are building. They bought into what we are trying to achieve and the club philosophy of where we are trying to be.”
South Cardiff enters 2025 after finishing fifth in the 2024 season, eight points short of the promotion/relegation play-off series.
The Gunners have boosted their side in the off-season with new recruits Jackson Pereira (Edgeworth) and Zayne Morphew-Watson (Valentine).
After just one win in the first five games of the 2024 season, the Gunners will be determined to start this year strong.
Cessnock City Hornets v Singleton Strikers
Turner Park, Saturday 4:30pm
Singleton Strikers will be insistent on starting their 2025 campaign with a win against Cessnock City Hornets at Turner Park on Saturday after narrowly missing out on the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off series in 2024.
The strikers fell three points short of their chance at promotion after losing a must-win match against Kahibah FC in round 25 and drawing with Toronto Awaba in the final round of season 2024.
But after securing a range of signings including first grade players from opposing HIT106.9 Northern League One teams, the Strikers will come out firing ready to start their season with a win.
Cessnock will come out with a point to prove on Saturday afternoon after ending 2024 with nine wins, two draws and 13 losses to their name and finishing seventh on the table.
Despite this, new head coach Josh Magurie who is returning to the club he once played for will be determined to carry on the momentum the club picked up at the end of last year securing five wins in their last six games and netting 15 goals.
Combining the Hornet’s momentum at the end of 2024 and the Strikers ending their season with a 6-0 victory creates a recipe for an exciting match-up between the two teams.
West Wallsend SFC v Thornton Redbacks
Johnston Park, Saturday 6:30pm
West Wallsend SFC will be motivated to start the season strong when they host Thornton Redbacks at Johnston Park on Saturday night.
The lingering feeling of unfinished business will be around the club after they narrowly missed out on the promotion/relegation play-off final in 2024. This will motivate the Bluebells to come out firing early in the hope to secure promotion in 2025.
An almost unchanged side remains at the Bluebells, as they have retained 2024 HIT106.9 Northern League One Team of the Year duo Kaleb Cox and Bailey Jenson, as well as skipper Bryson Cox and their leading goal scorer Spencer Clarke.
West Wallsend will welcome back Tyla Cook and Matt Paul both who missed the 2024 campaign due to ACL injuries as well as Dain Greentree who played with the club in 2022.
Thornton Redbacks enters the 2025 campaign with new coach Scott Winslade leading the way.
Thornton finished eighth last season with just six wins to their name and Winslade will be set on turning that around in his first campaign with the club.
The Redbacks bolstered their squad in the off-season with Winslade bringing four Charlestown Azzurri NPL Men’s NNSW reserve grade players across with him.
Winslade has also secured import Oliver Cade from Bradford City and Nathan McAllister returns after spending 2024 with reigning premiers Belmont Swansea United.
With a fresh-faced Thornton and nearly unchanged Blue Bells, it will be a captivating match from start to finish.
Wallsend FC v Kahibah FC
Ladbroke Gardens, Sunday 6:40pm
Wallsend FC will be looking to do a full 180 in 2025 which starts on Sunday when they welcome Kahibah FC to Ladbroke Gardens.
Despite appearing strong in round one last year after downing 2023 grand finalists South Cardiff 4-0 the Red Devils didn’t win again until round 22.
They finished last on the table in 2024, with just eight points to their name after two wins, two draws and 20 losses.
For the first time relegation will be brought into the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition and the Red Devils will be determined they aren’t in the same position as the end of last year and being relegated to Zone League One.
Wallsend has boosted their side in the off-season and has recruited players such as promotion/relegation play-off final equaliser Ayden Halpin (Adamstown Rosebud).
A new-look side will take on Wallsend on Sunday as Kahibah takes the field for the first time under new head coach Blair Newham.
Newham has brought four Newcastle Olympic players including Scott Travis, Elliot Pakec and Jackson Lane as well as signing Lake Macquarie City midfielder Guilherme Evangelista.
The Rams also locked in a range of long-term veterans including Robbie Turnbull, Heath Kepreotes and Issac True as well as 2024 HIT106.9 Northern League One Young Player of the Year Daniel Byrne.
Kahibah will be set on getting their hands on the premiership this year after missing out on their chance to play in the Promotion/Relegation Play-off Final by just one goal.
But a blow comes for the Rams as seasoned player Riley Ferguson will be unavailable for selection in the first five rounds after receiving a straight red for match official abuse in the first leg of the promotion/relegation semi-finals.
Each team will be eager to prove themselves making the match an exhilarating ending to round one.
