Match of the Round
New Lambton FC v Lake Macquarie City FC
Alder Park, Saturday 4pm
Lake Macquarie City FC coach Gabrielle Blanch says that her side will need to do the simple things right to secure a much-needed win over New Lambton FC at Alder Park on Saturday.
It will be a blockbuster match between fourth and fifth place as the two sides battle it out for a crucial three points.
The Roosters have had a mixed start to the season with one win, two draws and six losses and sit fifth on the table, five points behind New Lambton.
But they will enter the contest with confidence after they secured a 0-0 draw against third-placed Newcastle Olympic in their round nine catch-up game last week.
Blanch said her side must stick to their game plan if they want to keep in touch with the top four.
“The Olympic result was pleasing particularly since I don’t think that we played at our best,” Blanch said.
“It is going to be tough. They [New Lambton] have gotten better and it is going to be a really tough one for us.
“For us, the big focus for us is to address some areas that let us down last week. From an overarching perspective, we need to work on valuing possession and get back to the basics in keeping the ball and making it hard for the opposition.
“Often it is the simplest things that let us down.
“It is so important to get something out of this weekend I have talked to the girls about it. We have to start winning now.
“It is fine to turn up, play well and say that we deserved better but at the end of the day if we want to stay in contention and stay close to New Lambton we have to win.”
New Lambton sits fourth on the table with 10 points but is seven behind Olympic in third.
They have not had a win in the competition since their round five rescheduled match against Adamstown Rosebud JFC at the end of March.
The Golden Eagles edged out the Roosters 3-2 with a late winner last time these sides met in round four and they will be eager to do the same thing in front of a home crowd on Saturday.
Coach Aaron Stedman said his side will need to find their winning form again in an important game for their season.
“I think points are at a premium. We should be trying to get as many points as possible to stay where we are in fourth place and add a bigger gap to the bottom teams,” Stedman said.
“This weekend is a big one with fourth against fifth placed. We really need to walk away with a win to keep that bigger gap but also stay in touch with the teams above us.
“When you start achieving and heading towards your goals, you start wanting to reach towards the stars.
“It is an important game.
“I think they [Lakes] are better than what their points suggest and we need to be on our game. They are very driven and focused. They have gotten a lot better as the season has gone on.
“It is not going to be an easy game, we will have to fight for the full 90 minutes. It will be an exciting game.”
Each side are eagerly awaiting for their A-League stars to join their sides, with Lakes signing attackers Milan Hammond and Lara Gooch and New Lambton will see the return of Cass Davis and Lauren Allan but also welcome Libby Copus-Brown to their squad.
All four players will be eligible to play from round 12.
New Lambton will also see the return of goalkeeper Isabella White, who was ruled out days before round one with an ankle injury.
Stedman said that he was hopeful that White would make her season debut on Saturday.
Broadmeadow Magic v Charlestown Azzurri
Magic Park, Friday 8pm
Broadmeadow Magic coach Jason Konjarski says that his boosted squad is eager to take points off Charlestown Azzurri when they go head-to-head at Magic Park on Friday night.
As the mid-season registration window has opened this week, Magic have seen multiple player movements across their squad.
Konjarski confirmed that experienced centre back Jannali Hunter had left the club and would not be playing football for the remainder of the season. Amaya Shaw has also departed Magic to pursue an opportunity with the NSW/ACT Development Academy for Cross-Country Mountain Biking.
But Broadmeadow have recruited two overseas players with goalkeeper Ayano Kurosawa and defender Brooke Bonner coming in from the American college system.
Kurosawa will be available for selection this weekend but Bonner won’t be in the country until May 22.
American attacker Alexis Andrews has also returned to the squad after she underwent knee surgery and will be available for selection.
Konjarski said that the reshuffle in personnel has been a positive change for the club.
“It has been refreshing for us. There has been a lot of player movement in the squad. There is a more positive vibe in the squad,” Konjarksi said.
“The shift in mentality has been way better. It has been more competitive, intense and positive.
“A few people are going to have to play for their spots.
“I wish the girls who have left us all the best.
“Georgia Minors is now available for selection for first grade and Goose (Andrews) is back and firing. They will add depth.
“Ayano [Kurosawa] will be a big addition moving forward. It will be good to have her here and help to mentor the younger goalkeepers. From seeing her in training, I think she will become one of the best keepers in the league. I am keen to see how she goes.”
Konjarski knew they had a challenge ahead of them against the Blues but was confident that they could get something out of the game.
“Heath has a strong squad all the way through to reserve grade. We are trying to do our homework as much as we can to come up with a plan,” Konjarski said.
“Our best game was against them [Charlestown]. I thought it was one of our better performances of the year. That game helped to turn our season around, knowing that we can give it to them.
“Taking points off anyone is going to be crucial. It will be a big game for us on the weekend.
“Hopefully we can take some points off them.”
The last time these two sides met in round four, Azzurri secured a 3-0 victory at home.
Charlestown will enter the contest full of confidence after they were crowned the 2025 Women’s League Cup champions on Sunday night with a 3-2 win over Maitland FC.
The Blues sit second on the table, six adrift from Maitland in top spot but have a game in hand.
Health Whyte will hope that his side can build on their momentum and return home with all three points to stay in the premiership hunt.
Maitland FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4pm
Two sides eager to bounce back will go head-to-head when Maitland FC welcomes Adamstown Rosebud JFC to Cooks Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies have been flying high in the competition, unbeaten in nine league games so far this season.
They sit at the top of the table with 25 points, six clear of Charlestown Azzurri in second.
But they will enter the contest wounded after they went down 3-2 to Azzurri in the Women’s League Cup final on Sunday night.
Coach Joe Wright will be hopeful that his side can right their wrongs to bounce back and keep their undefeated streak alive for another week.
The last time these two sides met in round four, Maitland secured a gritty 2-0 win away from home.
Adamstown will come into Sunday’s clash fresh-faced after a weekend off the competition.
They have had a frustrating start to their 2025 campaign, as they have pushed teams all the way but have been unable to convert good performances into points.
The Buds sit sixth on the table with four points and trail the top four by six points. But a win this weekend could move them up into fifth position and closer to finals football.
Adamstown will be determined to flip the script and serve the Magpies their second defeat in a week.
Newcastle Olympic – Bye
