Match of the Round
New Lambton FC v Newcastle Olympic
Alder Park, Saturday 4pm
Newcastle Olympic coach Craig Atkins said that three points are a non-negotiable for his side in their clash at Alder Park against New Lambton FC on Saturday.
After a strong start to the season, the 2024 grand finalists have hit a rough patch. They have had a draw and back-to-back defeats and have only scored three goals in their last three matches.
They sit fourth on the table, two points behind New Lambton and eight points off league leaders Charlestown Azzurri.
But Atkins said that this weekend is a must-win for his side to help boost confidence amongst the group and stay in the finals hunt.
“After two results that didn’t go our way, it is really important that we get three points on Saturday and start to build some momentum,” Atkins said.
“We picked up a few points early but then in the last three games, we only got one point. It is crucial that we have to take away three points on Saturday.”
The Olympic coach admitted that they have had to reflect after a disappointing run of results but was pleased with how his side regrouped.
“Obviously after the last two results, we had some really good conversations about what we could possibly change. The last three sessions have been really intense and high quality. I have noticed a nice change on the training pitch,” Atkins said.
“We are starting games really well. We thought we started well against Azzurri and Maitland and had chances that could have seen us take the early lead but we didn’t.
“We have identified the issues as basic errors.
“The girls are really focused and ready to get back out on the pitch.”
One of the other focuses for the side will be to stop golden boot leader Tara Andrews from causing havoc in front of goal.
“We are very well aware of Tara and her natural abilities. That will be a bit of a focus area for us on the weekend,” Atkins said.
"They [New Lambton] are performing really well as a squad. I saw some really good signs from them in the preseason and they are only getting better.
“They are an opposition not to be taken lightly.”
The former Matildas and A-League striker has hit her stride this season and has proven to be dangerous across the park as a goal scorer and playmaker with 15 goals in five matches.
New Lambton coach Aaron Stedman said Andrew’s current form had made a big impact on the whole team.
“It is a confidence boost for the whole team with Tara doing well. I think a difference is that she has players around her this year with a stronger front line that gives her more time and space,” Stedman said.
“Her finishing has been deadly. Last year she was good but this year she is enjoying her football more.”
The Golden Eagles are flying high after three back-to-back victories that have shot them up into third position on the table.
Stedman was thrilled with how his side had hit the ground running this season and had not relied on the return of their A-League players to get results.
“I think now that we have points on the board and in a good spot on the table, everyone is in a really good spot and happy. But it is back to business,” Stedman said.
“I think we do get scrutinized a bit about our A-League players and it is a blessing to have those players come back into the group. But to be able to back it up before they come in, play good football and get these wins without having those players shows that we don’t need our Jets players every single week.
“It is a positive not just for me but the players as well that they can see that we are thriving and growing each week. They can see the hard work that has been put in.
“We broke it down into three sections and we have done better than we did last year already with one game to go.”
But Slade believed that it would be difficult to take points off Olympic this Saturday.
“Olympic are a great team. They have plenty of players across the park,” Slade said.
“Every team can have a dip in form but that makes them more focused to turn up and do better the next week.
“We will focus on our game.
“We have a big job on our hands to get anything from it. I am confident that they will be very hard to take anything away from.
“For us any points would be fantastic and a big boost to move forward. It would help us to secure a higher place on the table into that top four.”
New Lambton’s Zahna Franklin and Nyah Bradley miss the match as they are away at a wedding, while Olympic will be without Sarah King and Alex Huyhn (away).
Charlestown Azzurri v Maitland FC
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 4pm
Maitland FC coach Joe Wright said that Charlestown Azzurri are the team to beat as they prepare to go head-to-head in a top-of-the-table clash at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday afternoon.
These two teams are the only undefeated sides in the competition and will each be desperate to continue their run of form and secure a position at the top of the league.
The last time these two sides met, Azzurri knocked out Maitland in the 2024 preliminary final with a 1-0 win.
Wright looked forward to the contest this weekend but believed they had a tough task ahead of them to take down the reigning champions.
“It is an exciting game between two teams that have good records so far. They are the kind of games that you want to be a part of. The girls are looking forward to it,” Wright said.
“I think they are the team to beat. They are well organised defensively and strong up top with a midfield that provides good service.
“We need to make sure that we play to our game plan and try to nullify any of their strengths whilst also playing to ours.
“You can only play what is in front of you. Win or lose you still have another two opportunities to play them this season.
“Three points against anyone this is important in the competition. All points are going to be important.”
The Magpies have been plagued with injuries so far and have lost Josie Morely for the season (ACL).
Charlie O’Connor is still touch and go after she suffered a concussion in round six but one boost to the side is the return of co-captain Sophie Stapleford, who came off the bench against Olympic after weeks sidelined with an ankle injury.
“It has been a little bit frustrating so far with injuries. We looks like we are getting back to full strength and then have more people with niggles. But we have good depth.
“Sophie [Stapleford] is a fantastic player. Any team with her in it is going to be strong.
“We are just testing combinations to see what our best balance is. We want to make sure that we test all combinations to see what gives us the best chemistry.”
Charlestown looks to be unstoppable this season on an eight-game NPLW NNSW winning streak and sits at the top of the table, two points ahead of the Magpies.
Lake Macquarie City FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Friday 8pm
Adamstown Rosebud JFC will be desperate to snatch their first win of the season this Friday when they go head-to-head with Lake Macquarie City FC at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Buds have picked up just one point in the first six rounds and find themselves at the bottom of the table despite strong performances.
One thing that Adamstown have struggled with is scoring goals this season with only four netted this season, with just two from open play.
Martin Slade believed his side had been unlucky not to pick up more points so far and will be determined to take all three from the Roosters away from home on Friday night.
Lakes will enter the contest on a high after they secured the club’s first win in the competition in style with an 8-1 thumping over Broadmeadow Magic.
But they have had two weeks off with the bye and all Women’s League Cup fixtures washed out so will hope that the time off hasn’t hurt their momentum.
The Roosters sit fifth on the table with four points and will look to close the gap with the top teams.
Lakes is the only side to have conceded and scored the same number of goals so far this season with 14 apiece.
Coach Gabrielle Banch will hope that her side can pick up where they left off, tighten up their defence and secure all three points in front of a home crowd.
Broadmeadow Magic – Bye