Match of the Round
South Cardiff FC v Toronto Awaba FC
Ulinga Oval, Saturday 2pm
South Cardiff FC head coach Keelan Hamilton believes his side can turn their early-season form around as they host Toronto Awaba FC in this Saturday's Match of the Round at Ulinga Oval.
South Cardiff will be searching for their first points of the campaign following a taxing week.
The Gunners’ round two game plan was disrupted by an early red card to goalkeeper Mitchell Metcalfe, resulting in a 3-0 loss to Cessnock City Hornets FC.
This was followed by a midweek exit from the Hahn Australia Cup, where they led Dudley Redhead United 2-1 at the break before eventually falling 3-2.
Despite the recent scorelines, Hamilton remains composed about his side's trajectory.
"It’s only been two [league] games, so there is no need to panic," Hamilton said.
"We know who we want to be and that it’s going to take time to get there.
"We don't need to get down on ourselves at all.
“We played well in round one, and that game could have gone either way.
“It’s about not losing trust in each other and just keeping at it.”
Keelan explained that while results haven't gone their way, performances have shown positive signs.
The focus for Hamilton’s side now shifts to correcting lapses in discipline on and off the ball.
“Last week, a bit of ill-discipline on the ball with our football cost us," Hamilton said.
“We didn’t pass the ball well enough either to control the game, but there are still good signs there.”
South Cardiff got the better of Toronto in their last meeting, securing a close 2-1 victory late last season.
Hamilton expects a similar challenge to previous meetings and is wary of the test ahead.
"I expect similarities, as Jarrad [Hiles] has had Toronto for a few years now, and they’ve been stable and successful," Hamilton said.
“We know it’s a really difficult game. We expect Toronto to be right up there at the end of the season."
The Gunners will see the return of Riley Holohan from suspension, though they remain without their starting shot-stopper, Mitchelle Metcalfe, after he received a red card last weekend.
Toronto Awaba arrives at Ulinga Oval with momentum following a gutsy 2-1 victory over Newcastle Croatia.
Despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men, the Stags found a late winner to secure their first three points of the season.
Head coach Jarrad Hiles said it’s important to remind his squad to maintain that intensity.
"Everyone is in good spirits, but that’s the bare minimum now,” Hiles said.
“We’ve got to keep lifting and working hard.”
Hiles emphasised that, while morale is high from last weekend's result, they face a side that should not be underestimated.
“It will mean nothing if we don’t go out and perform again on Saturday," Hiles said.
"I'm wary of South Cardiff.
“It’s always a good match-up against them.
“They haven't won yet, which will make them even hungrier to get a result at home."
The afternoon will be a significant one for the Stags’ faithful, marking the 100th club game for both Noah Fittler and Peter McPherson.
Hiles was quick to highlight their role in the team's culture.
"Every team would love to have one of them in their squad, both for their attitude on and off the field,” Hiles said.
Toronto will be without Kade Howland due to suspension.
With points at a premium, expect a physical contest as both squads look to claim three points and climb the HIT106.9 Northern League One table.
West Wallsend SFC v Singleton Strikers
Johnston Park, Friday 8pm
Singleton Strikers head coach Jason Brewer believes his side can build on their improved performance last weekend as they travel to Johnston Park this Friday night to face West Wallsend SFC.
The Strikers arrive on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw against New Lambton FC, in a game that nearly swung in their favour.
Brewer took over the reins late in the preseason and has been working to transition the squad toward a more technical style of play.
"We played a bit of a longer game last year, so I’m trying to get them to play more football," Brewer said.
“We had a bit of a disruptive preseason and started a bit behind the other teams as far as trial games go, but the boys settled in last week, and we were probably unlucky not to get something more out of it."
Despite West Wallsend's difficult start, Brewer is aware of the threat the Bluebells pose at Johnston Park.
"I think we match up pretty well, but we’re wary of where they’re at," Brewer said.
"They’ve had two losses, so we know they'll be pumped up for it, and it should be a good game."
West Wallsend return home looking to solve their defensive troubles, having conceded 14 goals across their opening two fixtures.
Following a 5-1 defeat to Dudley last Sunday, the focus for West Wallsend will be to tighten up a leaky defence and prove they’ll be a competitive outfit in 2026.
While the final scoreline against Dudley was heavy, the Bluebells remained competitive for over an hour of play before the game got away from them in the final 30.
West Wallsend head coach Bailey Cox will be looking for a consistent 90-minute performance to kickstart their season.
The side also enters this fixture following a confidence-boosting 3-0 win over Charlestown Junior FC in the Australia Cup on Wednesday night.
With both sides looking to climb away from the bottom half of the table, this meeting is an important opportunity to secure a result before the table begins to gap.
Singleton will look to build on their performance last week and exploit a struggling Bluebells backline to secure their first three points of the 2026 season.
Cessnock City Hornets v Lake Macquarie City FC
Turner Park, Saturday 5pm
Cessnock City Hornets welcome Lake Macquarie City FC to Turner Park this Saturday in a showdown between two of the competition’s leading sides.
The Hornets currently sit at the top of the table with a perfect record, feeling confident from their 3-0 victory over South Cardiff FC.
The hosts have been the benchmark for defensive discipline so far this season, remaining the only team yet to concede a goal.
Zachary Kronholm has provided the spark at the other end of the park, netting four goals in two games to lead the Hornets' charge.
Lake Macquarie City travels to Turner Park in search of a response after a 3-0 loss to Wallsend FC during their homecoming at Macquarie Field.
Head coach Michael Body described the result as a wake-up call for his side following the highs of their record-breaking 9-2 opening round win.
The Roosters' attack, however, was kept quiet last weekend by a structured Wallsend defence.
The side also enters this fixture following a midweek exit from the Hahn Australia Cup, suffering a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a well-put-together Kotara South SFC.
Lake Macquarie will need to rediscover that clinical edge and find a way to breach a stubborn Hornets backline if they are to avoid consecutive defeats.
Newcastle Croatia FC v New Lambton FC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility 3, Saturday 5pm
Newcastle Croatia FC hosts New Lambton FC at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility this Saturday evening, with both sides looking for all three points after a challenging second round.
Croatia enters the meeting following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Toronto Awaba FC last weekend.
While the result was a setback, central defender Michael Sessions continued his scoring run, finding the back of the net for the second consecutive week.
The hosts will be looking to sharpen their attacking threat after failing to capitalise on a man advantage for much of the second half at Lyall Peacock Oval.
Croatia also enters the fixture looking to bounce back from a midweek exit in the Hahn Australia Cup, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Mayfield United SFC on Wednesday night.
They will welcome Beau McDonald back to the squad after serving a two-match suspension.
Having secured a win and a loss from their opening two league fixtures, Croatia will be keen to re-establish the winning form they displayed in the opening round and keep pace with the league leaders.
For New Lambton, the start of the 2026 campaign has been a period of adjustment.
The Eagles continue to search for their first victory of the season after rescuing a point in a 1-1 draw with Singleton Strikers last Saturday.
Thomas O’Connor’s 82nd-minute equaliser rescued the side from a second straight defeat, but head coach John Bennis will be calling for a more consistent 90-minute performance from his squad.
The Eagles currently sit in seventh place and will be eager to secure a result to jumpstart their season and climb away from the bottom half of the table.
New Lambton will go into the game having gained some confidence from their 6-2 win against Zone League One side Northumberland United midweek in the Hahn Australia Cup.
While it is still early in the 2026 season, both sides will view this meeting as an opportunity to build some needed momentum.
Wallsend FC v Dudley Redhead United
Ladbroke Gardens, Sunday 3pm
The round concludes this Sunday at Ladbroke Gardens as Wallsend FC takes on Dudley Redhead United in a meeting between two of the league's most in-form teams.
Wallsend hosts their first home game of the season following a clinical 3-0 victory over Lake Macquarie City FC, a result built on the defensive maturity praised by head coach Chris Gallagher.
Wallsend again kept a clean sheet midweek, defeating Bolwarra Lorn JSC 2-0 on Wednesday night in the Hahn Australia Cup.
Gallagher’s side has proven they can absorb pressure but will be tested this week by one of the league's most potent attacking teams thus far.
Dudley Redhead United travels to the Gardens looking to maintain their perfect start after a dominant 5-1 win over West Wallsend SFC.
While the game was tightly contested at 1-0 after 60 minutes, Dudley ran away with the result by scoring four goals in a dominant final half-hour.
Blayke Reeves will be looking to continue his impressive form for the visitors, having scored three goals in the opening two rounds.
Dudley currently sits in second place and will be looking to secure a third consecutive win to potentially move to the top of the table.
They also secured a 3-2 victory over South Cardiff FC on Tuesday night in the Hahn Australia Cup, continuing their winning form.
With both teams yet to drop a point, this round will be a key test for two sides whose confidence will be at an early-season high.