Match of the Round
Adamstown Rosebud JFC v Charlestown Azzurri
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Friday 8pm
Adamstown Rosebud JFC coach Martin Slade says that his side will have to be switched on for the full 90 minutes if they are to disrupt the reigning champions Charlestown Azzurri on Friday night at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Buds have had a tough start to the season, with only one point from their first three matches and sit at the bottom of the table despite strong performances.
Whereas their opponents Charlestown have been undefeated in six NPL Women’s NNSW matches and don’t look like they are slowing down, as they sit second on the table from three dominant wins this season.
Slade said that they aren’t concerned about the points they have picked up so far this season but admitted that his side will have to be at their best if they want to challenge Azzurri on Friday.
“We have spoken about it and how we have been 1-0 up in two matches with multiple opportunities and haven't capitalised on them and then conceded multiple goals which have changed the dynamic of the games,” Slade said.
“We can’t be competitive for large periods of the game for some weeks but then switch off in other weeks.
“I think it is just about speaking to the players and making them aware of the situation to ensure that it doesn’t become a bigger pattern.
“The players know that they can compete and keep clean sheets when they are switched on for large periods of the game. I just need to remind them that they are capable of that.
“We want to win games and we want to be competitive in games for 90 minutes.
“In this present moment, we are a team that can work hard and play good football but haven’t been switched on and focused at all times.”
The Buds will be without Evie Horgan for another week as she remains sidelined as she recovers from a concussion.
Slade stated that their biggest challenge this weekend will be to shut down Azzurri’s experienced players and attacking threats.
“The reigning champions have signed some experienced players and on top of that have Gema [Simon] and Melina [Ayres] from the start of the season,” Slade said.
“I want to win and I want to put on a performance on to show that we do the right things and that makes people say that we are good.
“I have given the information on Melina to my players about her strengths and weaknesses. It is a massive task but I have an idea how to nullify her.”
But Slade might have to readjust his game plan as Azzurri coach Heath Whyte confirmed that two of their most experienced players Ayres and captain Kirstyn Pearce would be unavailable for this weekend’s clash.
Whyte was confident that the depth of his squad with the inclusion of Brianna Williams, Madi Gallegos (away) and Chelsea Lucas (injury), who would be available for selection this weekend.
“Melina (Ayres) is in North Queensland cleaning up beaches this weekend and Kirstyn Pearce will also be unavailable this weekend,” Whyte said.
“KP (Pearce) has been doing an exceptional job at the back but out of necessity we have found a great combination with Kalista (Hunter) and Alyssa (Togo-Paragalli) who I thought were fantastic against Olympic last weekend. Kalista is very composed and Alyssa’s ability on the ball gives us so much.
“KP is always a very big loss for us.”
Despite being the most in-form side on the biggest winning streak in the competition, Whyte said that they are not getting ahead of themselves and are prepared for a tough fight each week.
“I don’t worry too much about the colours we are playing against, I focus on setting our strategy and trying to execute it,” Whyte said.
“I am a firm believer that if we get our strategy right and execute it with the focus on the football the results will follow.
“I am not superstitious and I was aware that we have had a reasonable winning streak. But you just have to play each game and what is in front of you.
“We take all games seriously.”
Maitland FC v Newcastle Olympic
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4:30pm
Newcastle Olympic coach Craig Atkins says it’s crucial his side bounce back and get all three points against Maitland FC at Cooks Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
Olympic will enter the contest off the back of a heavy 5-1 loss to Charlestown Azzurri, which was their first of the season.
Atkins believed his side would be able to regroup and get a much-needed three points away from home.
“The loss wasn’t ideal but it has happened and we have spoken about it,” Atkins said.
“It is a new week and seven days can be a long time in football.
“After last weekend’s result, it is about focusing on ourselves and getting back to doing what we do best.
“It will be a tough challenge up there.
“We definitely need to take the three points away this weekend and get that confidence back up.
“It is crucial to be picking up points in the competition.”
Olympic started the season as the powerhouse of the competition and scored 13 goals in their first two matches but since then have scored only one goal.
Atkins said that they need to be more clinical in front of goal like they were in the opening two rounds.
“We have reflected on our last two games and it’s not that we aren’t creating chances we just aren’t being as clinical as we were in those first games. It is an area that we need to keep working on,” Atkins said.
“The football that we are playing is doing pretty well. We just need to stick to what we do best.”
Olympic will be without defender Danielle Nicol who is away.
Maitland will hope that their injury ward doesn’t affect their momentum after an undefeated run so far this season with three wins and a draw.
The Magpies have gone from strength to strength this season with three wins and one draw under their belt as they sit at the top of the table.
Co-captains Sophie Stapleford (ankle) and Tahlia Gossner (hamstring) have suffered with injury so far this season, with Stapleford still tentative to return this weekend.
But in a further blow for the side, midfielder Josie Morley has been ruled out for the season after she sustained a knee injury against Adamstown Rosebud in round four.
Coach Joe Wright will have to rely on the depth in his squad to help boost them back up in the hope to secure all three points at home on Sunday.
New Lambton FC v Broadmeadow Magic
Alder Park, Saturday 6pm
Broadmeadow Magic will be desperate to bounce back when they face New Lambton FC at Alder Park on Saturday afternoon.
Jason Konjarski’s side will enter the contest off the back of another big defeat after they went down 8-1 to Lake Macquarie City FC.
This was their second significant defeat and third loss of the season with three losses and one win and have been one of most inconsistent sides so far in the competition.
Broadmeadow sits sixth on the table with three points and will hope to get their season back on track against the Golden Eagles this weekend with a solid 90-minute performance.
Magic will be without defender Jemma Lawson after she was given a one-match suspension for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
New Lambton enters the contest off the back of some positive performances after a 3-2 win over Lakes and was leading 4-2 over Adamstown Rosebud at half-time before the match was abandoned due to player safety.
Aaron Stedman will hope that his side can continue to build on their momentum and put one over on a struggling Magic side.
Tara Andrews looks to be unstoppable in attack and is one of the main playmakers in the squad. Magic’s defence will need to rise to the occasion and try to shut her down if they are to have a chance of securing all three points on Saturday.
Lake Macquarie City FC – Bye