Match of the Round
Broadmeadow Magic v Warners Bay FC
Magic Park, Sunday 4pm
Broadmeadow Magic will be looking to retain their spot on the top of the table when they host Warners Bay on Sunday in the Match of the Round.
Any of the top four teams have the potential to be league leaders at the end of the weekend, with only two points separating Magic, Olympic, Azzurri and the Magpies.
With Newcastle Olympic and Charlestown Azzurri snapping at their heels, a result is crucial for Magic to stay at the top at Magic Park.
Broadmeadow suffered their second loss of the season in a catch-up fixture against Maitland FC on Monday. Coach Jake Curley will be eager for his side to respond.
One huge boost for Magic will be star striker Lucy Jerram returning to the side after serving a two-week suspension. Jerram poses a big attacking threat, scoring 13 goals this season.
Warners Bay have had a less-than-ideal season so far, still waiting to pick up a point after 13 matches.
But Coach Ryan Swinkles is hopeful his side can improve, using the week off to work on crucial aspects of their game.
“We have worked on our formations, different game situations and played an interclub match to help us in pushing the intensity of our games,” Swinkles said.
“Every game is a learning experience to get better. I want them to develop their game the best they can.”
“We want to be competitive and focus on our team.”
Despite suffering a 16-0 loss the last time these two sides met in Round 7, Warners Bay are not scared by the league leaders or the threats that players such as Lucy Jerram and Adriana Konjarski will pose to the side on Sunday.
“We won’t be focusing on one player focus on how we can nullify their threats as best as possible as a team,” Swinkles said.
“If we play at intensity we will compete.”
Mid Coast FC v New Lambton FC
Taree Zone Field, Saturday 6pm
Mid Coast hope to shake things up when they host New Lambton at Taree Zone Field on Saturday.
Coach and player Emma Stanbury has made some big changes to her side due to injuries and illnesses and hopes to refresh the attack. Stanbury is still out herself with a fractured rib and Zora Boskovski is out with a meniscus injury.
In a bold move, goalkeeper Grace Davies will be making her debut on the field in attack.
“We have had a lot of injuries and illnesses so we are hoping that a wildcard can mix it up a bit,” Stanbury said.
“Grace is one of our most skillful players on the team and has been playing on the field in reserve grade.
“She doesn’t stop training and is always trying her hardest.”
Stanbury continues to praise her side’s attitude despite a tough season and is realistic about the added experience New Lambton will have compared to when they last met.
“Every single week, they are there and ready to go again,” Stanbury said.
“Obviously New Lambton have strengthened up. A lot of these teams have a and brough A-League players in.
“We will need to nullify those players as much as possible throughout the game.
“If we can reduce the scoreline and not drop our heads, that will be a good result for us.”
New Lambton’s finals hopes will most likely be over if they are unable to walk away with any points against New Lambton.
The Golden Eagles went down 2-1 to Newcastle Olympic a catch-up match on Monday evening, slimming their hopes of jumping into the top four, sitting 11 points outside of fourth place Maitland.
Maitland FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4pm
Maitland will look to continue their winning form when they take on Adamstown on Sunday.
The Magpies have won their last five matches and sit fourth on the table, only two points behind league-leaders Broadmeadow Magic.
Keelan Hamilton’s side has shown their dominance in attack this season, scoring 62 goals.
One of the players that has played a key role in this is Chelsea Greguric, who has scored 15 goals this season.
Sophie Stapleford will also be one to watch for the Magpies after scoring a hat-trick against Magic in Monday’s catch-up match.
Ryan Campbell’s side will be coming into this match rested, not playing in the spare weekend, which they will hope will play to their advantage.
Rosebud turned their luck around, breaking a three-game losing streak to share the points with Olympic in a 1-1 draw in Round 13.
Ashleigh Vetter and Josie Morely have stood out for their side in attack and Campbell will be eager to see them continue their form on Sunday.
Adamstown are only one spot outside the top tour but have a big job ahead of them sitting 10 points behind Maitland.
Newcastle Olympic FC v Charlestown Azzurri FC
Darling Street Oval, Sunday 4pm
The stakes are high for Newcastle Olympic’s match-up against Charlestown Azzurri at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.
Whichever side walks away with three points has the potential to go to the top of the table, making results crucial.
Olympic were able to scrap an important victory against New Lambton in a catch-up fixture. Elodie Dagg and Alesha Clifford continue to shine bright for their side both scoring in the catch-up fixture against New Lambton on Monday evening.
The return of goalkeeper Claire Coelho has also boosted the Olympic squad, making multiple top-shelf saves since rejoining the side.
Azzurri’s coach Niko Papspiropoulos will be hopeful that the week off for his side will allow the return of multiple squad members who have been out with illness and injuries.
Despite missing many key players in the past few matches, Azzurri have still been able to come away with two wins and a draw.
It is certain that Azzurri will be without defender Lori Depczynski, who is out suspended after receiving a red card in the Round 13 match against Broadmeadow Magic.
Attacker Emily Diaz has been a constant threat this season scoring 21 goals for her side and Azzurri will want her to continue this form against Olympic.
