Match of the Round
Lake Macquarie City FC v Wallsend FC
Macquarie Field, Friday 8pm
Lake Macquarie City FC coach Michael Body says he wants his side to keep a level head when they welcome Wallsend FC to Macquarie Field on Friday night as both sides come off impressive round one victories.
Lake Macquarie enters the round following a 9-2 demolition of West Wallsend SFC and will celebrate their return to home at their newly renovated ground.
Body noted the excitement surrounding the return to Macquarie Field, which now features a new pitch, new stands and new dressing sheds.
"It definitely provides extra motivation and we’re keen to start playing there again," Body said.
The Roosters arrive with significant momentum after a historic round one performance where Carter Smith netted six goals in a dominant display at Johnston Park.
Body emphasised the importance of keeping level heads this week to avoid a performance hangover or any arrogance after their high-scoring season opener.
"Arrogance can kind of kick in, so we just got to keep the boys on a level field," Body said.
"It’s one game and three points. There are 17 to go, so there is no point getting excited just yet."
Body scouted Wallsend last week in their 2-1 win over New Lambton and was impressed by their defensive effort and overall recruitment of NPL-level talent.
"Chris [Gallagher, Wallsend coach] has done a great job with his recruitment and brought in some NPL-level players that we need to be mindful of,” Body said.
“They're definitely a resilient side and I think they've got an opportunity to do well in the competition.”
Body’s side will look to maintain their clinical finishing in front of goal and secure all three points on their return to Macquarie Field.
Wallsend FC will look to spoil Lake Macquarie’s return home, coming off a disciplined win against New Lambton FC in which they limited their attacking threat.
The Red Devils proved they could stay patient without the ball and counter effectively when the opportunity presented itself.
The club has welcomed back several local players and former juniors to bolster a squad stretched thin in recent years, a move coach Chris Gallagher is proud of.
"We’ve recruited a bit more depth, which we lacked for the last two seasons," Gallagher said.
"A lot of the boys that have come back have either been a junior or have played at the club before, which has been the plan from the start.
“It’s great to see some of the local kids back playing first grade at the club.”
Gallagher noted that while Carter Smith’s recent six-goal haul was clinical, his defensive unit is focused on ensuring they don't give the Roosters similar chances this Friday.
"He was very clinical in front of goal, so it’s important not to give away too many chances," Gallagher said.
“We need to be defensively sound and just keep working through what we’ve been working on week in, week out."
The Red Devils expect a physical contest in the middle of the park, with Gallagher identifying the midfield battle as a decisive factor in this round's game.
"For me, we have to succeed in the mid-third. You have to win your battles there so you can dominate with the ball and dominate defensively," Gallagher said.
"They’re in red-hot form and have made some really good signings, but we just have to show up and do the job on the day."
Toronto Awaba FC v Newcastle Croatia FC
Lyall Peacock Oval, Friday 8pm
Toronto Awaba FC coach Jarred Hiles believes his side needs to find their hunger when they welcome Newcastle Croatia FC to Lyall Peacock Oval this Friday as the Stags look to secure their first points of the season against the league newcomers.
Toronto enters the match seeking a win following a 2-1 opening round loss to Dudley Redhead United SFC.
Hiles noted that, despite a disruptive preseason due to player availability, there are no excuses for the round one result.
"We probably got what we deserved," Hiles said.
"We showed enough in patches, but we'll have to be much better Friday night.”
Hiles detailed that the match will be decided by his players' ability to win their individual battles across the park and maintain a high work rate.
"The main message this week is that we have to find some energy, effort and just those simple little bits of desire and hunger," Hiles said.
"We need to play the ball quicker and press a bit harder and higher up the pitch.
"We know we’re up for a fight and hopefully we can bounce back and have a crack against a good side."
Newcastle Croatia FC arrives at Lyall Peacock Oval, following a successful 2-1 league debut victory over South Cardiff FC.
The visitors established an early lead against South Cardiff and demonstrated they are a threat from set pieces, with Michael Sessions scoring a header from a well-worked free kick.
The side will be forced to adjust its lineup this week due to the two-match suspension of Beau McDonald, who scored Croatia’s opening goal of the game.
Croatia will aim to build on that result as they face a Toronto side eager to get off the mark in front of their home supporters.
South Cardiff FC v Cessnock City Hornets
Ulinga Oval, Saturday 3pm
Cessnock City Hornets will travel to Ulinga Oval on Saturday afternoon to face South Cardiff FC in what is sure to be a tightly contested affair.
South Cardiff produced a resilient performance in their 2-1 loss to Newcastle Croatia FC in their opening match as they held a strong defensive shape for the majority of the game.
Despite the result, the Gunners showed they are difficult to break down and possess individual quality in attack.
They will be without Riley Holohan this weekend following his two-match suspension, but the focus will remain on converting their encouraging signs to points.
Cessnock City Hornets arrive in form after a 2-0 opening round victory over Singleton Strikers FC.
The Hornets were clinical early in their opener and demonstrated maturity in managing their lead for the remainder of the match, securing a clean sheet.
Zac Kronholm remains their primary threat after his opening-day brace, and the visitors will look to build on that defensive solidity as they look for consecutive wins.
New Lambton FC v Singleton Strikers
Alder Park, Saturday 5pm
New Lambton FC and Singleton Strikers will both look to bounce back from opening-round losses when they meet at Alder Park on Saturday afternoon.
New Lambton enters the contest following a 2-1 defeat to Wallsend FC, in which they struggled to maintain defensive concentration at key moments.
While the Golden Eagles showed glimpses of the quality expected of a side with NPL experience, they ultimately failed to find a decisive equaliser.
Playing at Alder Park for the second straight week, the side will be focused on a complete 90-minute performance to get their campaign back on track.
Singleton Strikers will travel away from home again after their 2-0 loss to the Cessnock City Hornets in round one.
The Strikers struggled to create clear opportunities in the final third last week and spent much of the game unable to break down a compact defence.
Head coach Jason Brewer will be looking for a better attacking response from his side, as they aim to find their first goals of the season on Saturday.
Facing a former NPL side away from home is a difficult assignment, but Singleton will view this as a chance to prove they can compete with a league heavyweight and find their first points of the 2026 season.
Dudley Redhead United v West Wallsend SFC
Lydon Oval, Sunday 5pm
West Wallsend SFC will look to recover from their opening-round loss as they travel to Lydon Oval to take on Dudley Redhead United on Sunday afternoon.
Dudley Redhead secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Toronto Awaba last weekend, establishing themselves as a side capable of competing at the top end of the table this season.
Returning to home turf at Lydon Oval, Dudley will be full of confidence and eager to build on that momentum.
While they enter the game as the more in form team, they will be aware that their opponents possess a squad capable of a significant response after a nightmare opening weekend.
The Bluebells will be looking for a defensive reset after a 9-2 thrashing in round one.
The result was an uncharacteristic performance for one of the competition's favourites and the focus throughout the week would have been on rectifying the defensive issues that led to the margin.
The fixture is a major test of the squad's character and defensive resolve as they look to re-establish their status in the competition.
The Bluebells can take some confidence from their recent history against Dudley, having secured a 1-0 and 4-1 victory in their two encounters last season.