Match of the Round
Maitland FC v Weston Workers FC
Cooks Square Park, Saturday 7.30pm
A big crowd is anticipated for the Saturday night El Clásicoal derby with Maitland and Weston needing three points to stay in touch with the front runners.
Reigning premiers Maitland suffered their second loss of the season last week, going down 3-1 to Valentine having been reduced to 10 men following Sean Pratt’s dismissal.
The Magpies will look to bounce back in front of their home supporters against a rejuvenated Weston Bears.
The Bears have flair down both wings and have enjoyed a promising start to the season in third place on the table.
The Bears are nursing injuries from the weekend and will not know their full line-up until match day.
"We have a few players that copped some knocks. We’re waiting on feedback and reply from the medical staff, so don't know if they'll be good for the game yet," Weston coach Kew Jaliens said.
"A massive game, important for us and our supporters.
"They've got a good team, and an experienced coach so looking forward to it. Again, a great test for us to see where we're at.”
Broadmeadow Magic v Lambton Jaffas
Magic Park, Friday 8pm
Broadmeadow and Lambton go into Friday night's fixture brimming with confidence following crucial wins last week.
Broadmeadow Magic coach John Bennis welcomes back returning troops to bolster the squad.
"The boys pulled up ok from the Friday night game, [only] general soreness," Bennis said.
"Keanu Moore is back from suspension but will undergo a fitness test on Thursday with an ankle issue.
“Jaffas had a win away from home against Edgeworth on the weekend and have big name threats across the park that we will have to contain.
"It was great to see Riley Smith bounce back from injury and return to the scoresheet last week.”
Bennis is relishing the opportunity to give back to the community on Friday night.
"It's a game recognised by both clubs as an important fixture as we raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service," Bennis said.
"Broadmeadow Magic have been extremely proud to be a part of it for many years and Steve from Elders Real Estate Lambton does a fantastic job with running it.
"Hopefully we can get some big numbers to Magic Park on Friday to donate to this vital community service.”
Lambton Jaffas coach David Tanchevski is expecting a magic atmosphere.
"We are looking forward to a tough match against Magic," Tanchevski said.
"They have started the season really strongly and had some good wins.
"It's always a tough game at Magic Park. They have a good squad and good crowd, so the atmosphere will be great. We are looking forward to another tough match against a quality team.”
Tanchevski continues his juggling act with injuries, this week is one in and one out.
"Josh Benson did his hamstring and came off injured in the first half [against Edgeworth],” Tanchevski said.
"Riley McNaughton will return but we lose Josh.”
New Lambton FC v Valentine FC
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 2.30pm
New Lambton are a team on the rise following their first win in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition.
The Golden Eagles conceded nine goals to Maitland in round two but have regrouped since then and are acclimatising to the pace of the NPL, racking up four points in their last two games.
Last week's stoic 2-1 win over Adamstown Rosebud with 10 men has given the Golden Eagles a platform to build from.
Valentine are flying high after their impressive 3-1 win over Maitland and have climbed into fourth place on the table as a result.
Valentine coach Adam Hughes knows he is in for a tough match on Saturday afternoon.
"Will be a tough match this weekend against New Lambton and one we will need to be mentally and physically ready for,” Hughes said.
"Players have pulled up well after the weekend.”
The match between New Lambton FC and Valentine FC has been transferred to Darling Street Oval.
The Alder Park pitch was deemed unplayable on Tuesday due to issues following ryegrass seeding.
Cooks Hill United v Newcastle Olympic
Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field, Saturday 3pm
Three points should propel either team into the top half of the table when they meet at Fearnley Dawes Athletic Field on Saturday.
Cooks Hill United are one of the competition’s leading goal scorers with eight goals but their problem is at the other end where they have leaked seven.
Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich expects another tough test as they continue the building process.
"Another tough game for us. Olympic are a good solid side and we will have to be at our best to compete," Zoricich said.
"Hoping for a positive performance at home to continue our development and rebuilding of the club.”
Cooks Hill will be without Liam Spurway through injury but will have Jamie Byrnes available for selection who returns from suspension.
Newcastle Olympic stopped the Weston Bears in their tracks last week, ending their winning streak with a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.
The disciplined performance frustrated the Bears who had been averaging three goals per game which will inject confidence going into Saturday's fixture.
Lake Macquarie City v Edgeworth FC
Macquarie Field, Sunday 2.30pm
Charlestown Azzurri had not conceded a goal for 180 minutes but it only took Lake Macquarie City three minutes to breach through the defence last week.
Lakes have scored six goals in four matches but their problem has been conceding 13 goals this season.
Edgeworth can beat anyone on their day and started the season with two wins followed by two losses.
Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness has his finger on the pulse and is cognisant of Lakes' goalscoring threat.
"Lakes' results have been very much on the improve so we know we will have a tough contest come Sunday,” McGuinness said.
"We picked up a few injury concerns from the weekend's game but will know more as the week progresses.”
Charlestown Azzurri v Adamstown Rosebud
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 2.30pm
Charlestown Azzurri are on a roll, with an immaculate four wins from four matches.
If Adamstown are going to get anything from this match they will need a solution for the Azzurri's aerial threat on set-pieces.
Taylor Regan and Nigel Boogaard have been immense in both penalty areas, thwarting centre forwards defensively while being a potent threat from attacking corners and free kicks.
A free kick from anywhere in the opposition half is an opportunity to launch the big men forward to wreak havoc.
But Adamstown Rosebud have invested in youth and are capable of beating anyone.
"Adamstown are a young mobile side who can beat any team in this league on their day," Azzurri boss James Pascoe said.
"We will need to perform well to get something out of the match.
"Goalkeeper Nathan Archbold has an ankle issue that will need assessing through the week.
"Luke Callan (holiday) and Miguel Fernández (injury) will be available again this weekend.”
Charlestown Azzurri are three points ahead of second-placed Broadmeadow Magic and five points ahead of Weston and Valentine in third and fourth.
