Singleton Strikers v Valentine FC
Howe Park, Saturday 1pm
Singleton Strikers coach Doug West believes his side will relish playing against an NPL NNSW side when they welcome Valentine FC to Howe Park on Saturday afternoon in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off series.
The Strikers will look for promotion to the top tier competition while NPL NNSW side Valentine FC will be fighting to remain in the top league.
This match is the first in a two-leg series, with the second to be played at Croudace Bay Complex the following Saturday.
The winner on aggregate will then meet either Toronto Awaba or West Wallsend in the one-off final match at Magic Park on Saturday, 30 August for a spot in the NPLM NNSW competition in 2026.
Singleton finished fourth in the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition following six wins, four draws and eight losses.
The Strikers have won just one of their past five matches with back-to-back losses to finish the season.
West views Valentine as one of the stronger sides in the promotion/relegation play-off finals series but is hopeful ahead of the match.
“There was a bit of a sour feeling after losing our last game in the 87th minute to South Cardiff, which was really devastating,” West said.
“But we've picked ourselves up. We've really reflected on the year, and the reality is we've done enough to be in that top four, and we'll take whatever opportunity there is.
“Now all the players are looking at it as an exciting opportunity.
“I know enough about a handful of players that are critical players, they're a strong outfit.
“Looking at the four teams that are in there for the promotion/relegation play-off series, they're definitely one of the stronger outfits.
“I think we will probably relish playing against quality opposition. As the pattern shows over the course of the year, we're actually stronger against stronger opposition. So hopefully that's the same case against Valentine.
“Outside the 2020 grand final, it's probably the next biggest game that the club's been involved in. It means a lot to the club, and it means a lot to the community.
“We'll embrace it and hopefully we can put on a great show for the community.”
Valentine finished 11th on the 12-team NPL NNSW table following four wins, four draws and 14 losses.
That saw them accumulate 16 points, which was nine more than last-placed New Lambton FC who were automatically relegated.
The Phoenix’s run home saw their season end on a four-game losing streak, conceding 17 goals and scoring two.
Valentine has had a roller coaster of a season, starting the year under coach Kallum Garbett and finishing the season under Cas Wright.
They will look to bounce back at the right time as they will be determined to gain the upper hand in the first leg before playing in front of a home crowd for the last time this season next weekend.
West Wallsend v Toronto Awaba
Johnston Park, Sunday 1pm
Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles says his side will leave it all out on the field in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off series when they face West Wallsend at Johnston Park on Sunday afternoon.
13 points separated the two HIT106.9 Northern League One sides as Toronto sat in second and West Wallsend in third, with the Stags scoring both wins in their two meetings in 2025.
Toronto ended the season 13 points ahead of third and fourth after 18 rounds as Hiles' men picked up 38 points following 12 wins, two draws and four losses.
West Wallsend accumulated 25 points following six wins, seven draws and five losses.
The Bluebells enter the promotion/relegation play-off finals series in their best form of the season following two wins and a draw in the last three rounds of the season.
The Stags on the other hand have won just one of their last three games with a 2-2 draw with Lake Macquarie City FC in their final regular season clash last Saturday.
Sunday is also the Bluebells last home game of the season, and they will be determined to treat their fans to one last win at Johnston Park in 2025.
Hiles said he is expecting a tough clash with West Wallsend and understands his side will need to take things up a notch.
“It's pretty exciting. I guess our form's been a bit scratchy this back end of the season and I guess West Wallsend are coming together,” Hiles said.
“They're always a tight tussle; it's always a good battle. We need to sort of pick up our game a bit and get stuck into it because it's not going to be an easy match.
“We just have to reset. The season's finished and we're into this play-off series, so you've got to put it all out there and leave it all out in the field.
“Hopefully the boys will rise to the occasion.
“We'll have to be on our toes. I think West Wallsend's the team I feared the most and they seem to be hitting their straps at the right time of the year.
“But we're going to have to concentrate and really be on our toes and just get into the battle with them.”
