Match of the Round
Kahibah FC v Valentine FC
Fred Wright Oval, Sunday 3pm
Kahibah FC head coach Blair Newham is expecting a bumper crowd to turn out in force against local rivals Valentine FC when the two sides face off for the first time in the NPL Men’s NNSW on Sunday afternoon at Fred Wright Oval.
The Rams are coming out of the Easter break fresh and full of confidence, as the side pulled their second win of the year when they stunned Maitland 2-1 in round six.
The newcomers have had a promising start to their time in the league, bouncing back well from a big opening loss to Lambton Jaffas to pull wins over the Magpies and Adamstown Rosebud FC, while also pulling off a 2-2 draw at home against Edgeworth Eagles.
But that maiden home win in both the NPL and at their renovated home at Fred Wright Oval still eludes them, and the hosts will see a valuable opportunity to get that off their back against Valentine FC this Sunday.
Kahibah will be without Liam Whitehead, who broke his wrist but played on against Charlestown Azzurri in round five, but Newham will welcome back Shiwa Dul into his side, with Riley Ferguson also set to make his return.
“That Maitland result was huge as far as the course of our season goes,” Newham said.
“We always knew that it was going to be a roller coaster of emotions the first year in the NPL and the committee were very supportive of that.
“They knew there'd be some hiccups and they knew that there'd be some opportunities for us to really surprise some people. For us as a playing group and a coaching staff, we know that's what we're capable of.
“[Valentine will] be very physical, be very intense on the press and to not give oppositions any time to settle on the ball. That's what they've done very well the past two occasions.
“A home game this weekend [after Edgeworth], we were so close to singing that team song for the first time in the new facility. I'm sure it would mean a lot to a lot of people.
“I'm sure that it'll be a bumper crowd on Sunday afternoon to watch Kahibah versus Valentine for the first time in the NPL.”
The Phoenix currently sit 11th on the table but will come into the match confident they can turn that around after pulling off a surprise away 1-0 win over Lambton Jaffas before the Easter break.
The side have continued to impress with a win against Newcastle Olympic earlier this week in the Hahn Australia Cup, but it came at a cost with Cale Graham and Cooper Wilmott both copping a one-match suspension.
Aside from one ugly loss to Cooks Hill at home, the young Valentine outfit have navigated a difficult start to the season with promise, pushing Belmont Swansea United, Broadmeadow Magic and Edgeworth Eagles, while also pulling a draw against Maitland FC.
The side has struggled in the front third, scoring just four goals in the opening six rounds, but head coach Lee Sterrey believes his side can continue to grow, and the desire to get off the bottom of the table will lead to a good contest.
“We've had two wins in the [last] week and a half or so, that's great,” Sterrey said.
“You always need an injection for your first win for the season. This draw that we had was pretty tough the first six weeks, we've still got room to move.
“Both sides are desperate. Both sides are desperate to get points week in, week out.
“We're trying to get ourselves away from the bottom. They're trying to get ourselves away from the bottom. So, it'll be a game of desperation for both sides.”
Belmont Swansea United v Edgeworth Eagles
Blacksmiths Oval, Saturday 4.30pm
Belmont Swansea United head coach Michael Stafford believes the league is still to see the best of his side’s attack, as they host Edgeworth Eagles at Blacksmiths Oval on Saturday.
BelSwans have shot up the table after narrowly avoiding the promotion/relegation play-off battle in 2025, with critical wins over Valentine FC, Cooks Hill United and Charlestown Azzurri in the opening seven weeks.
Boasting arguably the most dangerous counterattack in the competition, the men in yellow and green have put it to good use, scoring 13 goals in the opening seven rounds.
This attack will be sorely needed as they face the current best defensive side in Edgeworth, who also remain the only undefeated team this year.
Fresh off the Easter break, Stafford is excited to test his attack against a heavyweight side, being further bolstered by being nearly at full strength.
“There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the group at the moment,” Stafford said.
“We obviously take it one week at a time, but it's been a positive turnaround. We're a very tight-knit squad. Everyone just does their job and we enjoy competing against each other.
“We keep it pretty simple. I think that is the key in this league.
“[Edgeworth] seem to be defensively sound, I’m quite interested to see our attack [against them] because I believe we’ve got some of the best attackers in the league on their day.
“I believe the league hasn’t seen the best of them [Marco Gueli and Andrew McGee] yet. They’ve got more growth in them, and I’m excited to see where they end up.
“I’m excited to have a crack at them.”
Despite sitting in second on the table and managing three wins of their own, Edgeworth comes into this round in an interesting position, as the side is also struggling to score goals and put teams away.
While getting on the board in draws against Lambton Jaffas and Kahibah FC, their result against Adamstown Rosebud FC before the break was particularly frustrating for head coach Peter McGuiness.
With the side needing wins within the next three weeks to stay in touch with Weston Bears, the focus will shift to securing three points every week.
Newcastle Olympic v Broadmeadow Magic
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 2pm
With their catch-up game now behind them, Newcastle Olympic will aim to kick off a challenging stretch of the season with a statement win when they host Broadmeadow Magic in the opening match of a bumper weekend on Saturday.
Olympic come into the match fresh off two draws with Cooks Hill United FC and Adamstown Rosebud FC, the latter being a catch-up game played on April 1st.
While the Easter break would have come at a welcome time for Olympic, the side needs to pull a big result on the weekend if they are to stay in touch with the top six.
This weekend kicks off a difficult period of games for them over the next month, with Olympic set to face off with Belmont Swansea United, Edgeworth Eagles and Lambton Jaffas in three of their next four games, while also navigating a difficult Valentine FC outfit.
Magic, meanwhile, currently sit in third on the table but reminded everyone why they are the defending champions, defeating current league leaders Weston Bears 2-1 before the break.
To do that despite missing a few key players is all the more impressive for head coach Jim Cresnar, his side overcoming a slow start to the season to find themselves in a good position entering this weekend.
With several favourable clashes coming up in the next few rounds, Magic will be looking to cash in across April and May’s fixtures.
Lambton Jaffas v Weston Bears
Arthur Edden Oval, Saturday 2pm
The second fixture of a packed Saturday afternoon sees Lambton Jaffas welcome league leaders Weston Bears to Arthur Edden Oval.
After a promising start to the season, last year’s runners-up endured a difficult March, managing to pull a 2-2 draw against an in-form Charlestown Azzurri outfit, while enduring disappointing losses to Broadmeadow Magic and Valentine FC.
For this to also happen during an extended period at home, Jaffas need a couple of big weeks to turn things around in April, with their rescheduled match against Adamstown Rosebud FC also set to be played on Wednesday 29 April.
It also doesn’t help them that they face a ruthless Bears attack, and one that will be reeling from their loss to Broadmeadow Magic at home.
Weston is set to welcome back key figures Blake Archbold, Chris Hatfield and Musa Kamara from injury, and it comes at a good time as they prepare to face the entire month of April on the road.
Fixtures against Kahibah FC and the Buds following this weekend will see the Bears needing to show their title credentials with away wins, and head coach Damian Zane will be hungry to see his side target this period to consolidate their top position.
Adamstown Rosebud FC v Maitland FC
Adamstown Oval, Saturday 6pm
Capping off a busy Saturday afternoon, Adamstown Rosebud FC will look to nab their first win of the season when they take on a hurting Maitland FC at Adamstown Oval.
After a disrupted start to the year that saw injuries, rescheduled matches and floodlight failures, the Buds have bounced back with draws over Broadmeadow Magic, Edgeworth Eagles and Newcastle Olympic.
Despite sitting in last position and missing their first elusive win, head coach Chris Moylan will be happy to grab points against Magic and Eagles and will look to build confidence as they head into the remainder of the season.
With games against Valentine FC, Weston Bears and Cooks Hill United coming up, the Buds will know a victory over a heavyweight side will be critical if they are to get their season back on track.
They will also be confident they can spring a surprise against the Magpies, with the visitors coming into this weekend off a shock home loss to Kahibah FC in round six.
The Magpies currently sit in sixth place, pulling off impressive come-from-behind wins over Belmont Swansea United and Olympic.
But consistency has been a major issue; the Magpies have struggled to put away the likes of Valentine and Cooks Hill, combined with disappointing losses at home to Weston and the Rams.
With big games ahead against Lambton Jaffas, Broadmeadow, Charlestown Azzurri and Edgeworth, Maitland needs to find that consistency if they are to keep their finals position and push their title credentials.
Charlestown Azzurri v Cooks Hill United
RESCHEDULED
This match has been rescheduled to Sunday 7 June.