Match of the Round
Newcastle Olympic v New Lambton FC
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
Newcastle Olympic coach Craig Atkins says a win this weekend is crucial when they host New Lambton FC at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.
After a dip in results, Olympic snapped a two-game losing streak to secure back-to-back wins against Warners Bay (10-0) and Mid Coast (4-0) to get their season back on track.
They are fourth on the table with 15 points and two matches in hand but only sit three points behind league leaders Maitland FC.
A win for Olympic could see them fly up to the top of the table if the other results go their way.
But Atkins knew the importance of securing three points at the final whistle in such a tight competition.
“It is crucial to get three points with the table being so tight,” Atkins said.
“There are only three points from first to fourth so we just need to get on the park, do what we need to do and pick up those three points.
“The top sides will come up against each other again and it’s important that we are out there and pick up as many points as possible.”
Olympic holds the bragging rights between these two sides after they defeated the Golden Eagles 5-1 in round three.
Atkins believed this weekend’s clash would not be an easy one and that every team has the potential to hurt you.
“Every team has improved in the competition already,” Atkins said.
“We have to be lifting our intensity as we are expecting New Lambton to have significantly improved.
“The last two games we have played some really good football. It is about playing that consistent football over 90 minutes, which was something we struggled to do last time against New Lambton.
“They (New Lambton) will come out of the blocks with Tara (Andrews) leading the line. We need to be ready.”
Olympic is the strongest side in attack after nine rounds, as they have netted 42 goals in seven matches.
Their star striker Jemma House has led the way for her side and has scored 11 of those 41 goals.
Atkins credits House and his side for their powerhouse efforts to hit the back of the net.
“Jemma is a quality player and she has scored some wonderful goals this year. She reads the game really well and knows where the back of the net is.”
“We have been working really hard in attack to help work with Jemma to link up with her and provide balls through to get her onto.
“It’s all starting to come together.”
Dannielle Nicol is likely to miss this weekend’s match after she suffered an ankle injury in training.
New Lambton will have some new-found confidence under their belt off the back of a win against Warners Bay and a draw to Broadmeadow Magic in their round eight rescheduled fixture on Wednesday night.
The Golden Eagles remain in sixth position on the table but have closed the gap between them and Adamstown Rosebud in fifth to two points with two games in hand.
Aaron Stedman will hope that his side can continue to build on their momentum and return home from Lisle Carr Oval with all three points to leapfrog Rosebuds into fifth and start their quest for a top-four position.
Stedman and his side will now also begin the countdown until A-League players Cass Davis and Lauren Allan can join their side after their season at the Jets came to an end last weekend.
Charlestown Azzurri v Broadmeadow Magic
Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday 4pm
Charlestown Azzurri coach Heath Whyte knows his side will need to be on their game this Saturday when they host Broadmeadow Magic at Lisle Carr Oval.
The Blues are one of the teams to beat this season and will enter this weekend’s clash after four consecutive wins.
They sit third on the table and are two points behind league leaders Maitland FC with two matches in hand.
But with only three points to separate the top four sides, three points will be crucial for Azzurri to keep in touch with the other three teams and continue their hunt for the top spot.
Magic has had a dip in results after they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Maitland in round nine before they drew 3-3 to New Lambton in their round eight rescheduled fixture on Wednesday night.
Their recent results saw them slip off top spot into second by one point and are one point in front of their opponents on Saturday, which makes this match a must-win for both sides.
The last time these two sides met in round three they shared the points after a hotly contested 1-1 draw.
Whyte was aware of Magic’s recent results but knew that they could not be underestimated.
“The loss would have hurt Magic, but they are last year’s premiers and championship-winning team,” Whyte said.
“Magic is a hugely competitive team.
“It will be a tough ask for us and we have to be on our game this weekend.”
Azzurri’s coach believes his team have already put their mark on the competition and understands the importance to secure all three points on Saturday.
“The girls feel good and are playing quite positive football,” Whyte said.
“We have had some games where we haven’t been our best, but we have managed to edge a result which is good.
“I don’t think we have shown as resilience in the past as we have in recent weeks.
“We are the new source of disruption on the block.
“This part of the season is hugely important for us.”
Charlestown’s injury cloud continues to grow with Alyssa Togo, Charlize Whyte, Nikki Jones and Jana Fraser all still unlikely to return this weekend.
Maitland FC v Warners Bay FC
Cooks Square Oval, Sunday 4pm
Maitland FC will look to extend their lead at the top when they host Warners Bay FC at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
The Magpies were able to knock Broadmeadow Magic off the top of the table last weekend with a dominant 5-1 victory.
Maitland has become the team to beat and is on a five-match unbeaten streak, the longest of any team this season.
Keelan Hamilton’s side is one point clear in first position with two matches in hand and will be keen to extend their lead on Sunday.
Maitland will be without key midfielder Paige Kingston-Hogg after she received a one-match suspension for two yellow cards against Magic.
Warners Bay has struggled to pick up points after eight straight defeats and sit seventh on the table with three points. They are the only team to play all nine fixtures of the season so far.
The Panthers are three points behind New Lambton in sixth and twelve points away from the top four sides.
Ryan Swinkle’s side has netted 19 goals so far this season but has conceded more than any other team as they have leaked 56 goals.
They will be desperate to get themselves back on track and keep in touch with the rest of the competition.
Mid Coast FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Taree Zone Oval, Sunday 4pm
Two sides will look to return to the winners’ circle when Mid Coast FC hosts Adamstown Rosebud JFC at Taree Zone Field on Sunday afternoon.
Mid Coast was unable to make it back-to-back wins after their first win of the season when they went down 4-0 to Newcastle Olympic in round nine.
A win for Middies this Sunday could see them move off the bottom of the table if other results go their way, as they have three points but have two matches in hand.
Rosebud has improved throughout their 2024 campaign and has proved to compete with the top four sides after they went down 4-3 to Charlestown Azzurri last weekend.
Martin Slade’s side sits fifth on the table with nine points and one match in hand. They are six points behind Olympic in fourth position.
Rosebud holds the bragging rights from the last time these two sides met after they defeated Middies 5-0 at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Both teams will be desperate for three points to help keep their seasons on track and stay in touch with the other teams in the competition.