Weston Bears will look to bounce back from a gut-wrenching draw against the Jets Youth last weekend when they face Hamilton Olympic in Round 8 of PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW.
Match of the Round
Hamilton Olympic v Weston Bears
2.30pm Sunday 30th April at Darling Street Oval
Last Meeting: Round 13, 2016: Weston 1 Hamilton 3 at Rockwell Automation Park.
Ladder: Hamilton 4th (10), Weston 9th (4)
Last 3 Starts (most recent first):
Hamilton – Drew Eagles 1-1 (a), Won Magpies 2-0 (a), Lost Blues 1-2 (h)
Weston – Lost Magpies 0-1 (a), Drew Jets 2-2 (a), Drew Rosebud 3-3 (a)
Bottom Line
Combined with their tight 1-0 loss to Maitland on Wednesday the Bears will feel they aren’t far off claiming their first three points of the season.
Scoring in the final minute to lead 2-1 against the Jets it seemed the Bears would claim their first victory of the season. But, alas for Weston they gave away a penalty and ultimately threw away the points.
It has been moments like that which have hurt Weston throughout the season. Twice they led against the now first-placed Jaffas and gave up the lead and added to the result against the Jets and the draws against Adamstown and Lake Macquarie it leaves Weston ninth.
Key: Youth v Experience. Which will win out in the end?
Newcastle Jets Youth v Valentine Phoenix
2.30pm Saturday 29th April at Cahill Oval
Last Meeting: Round 18, 2016: Valentine 0 Jets Youth 2
Ladder: Jets Youth 11th (2), Valentine 2nd (12)
Past 3 Starts (most recent first):
Jets – Lost Eagles 0-1 (h), Drew Bears 2-2 (a), Lost Olympic 1-4 (a)
Valentine – Won Magpies 4-0 (a), Won Rosebud 2-0 (a), Won Jaffas 3-2 (a)
Bottom Line
Two sides who don’t mind attacking football meet on Saturday afternoon, so it seems a lot of goals may be on the cards in this one.
In their last three matches, 18 goals have been scored at an average of six per game, but, unfortunately for Valentine, the Jets have scored 13 of those and haven’t lost a match to the Phoenix since they entered the competition in 2012.
While their record against the Jets isn’t great, Valentine are flying and high and sit in second place on the ladder just two points behind the first-placed Jaffas. They have been the surprise packet of the current season and would like to make it four wins in a row against the Jets.
Key: Valentine have kept two clean sheets in a row and against a Jets side who have put 13 past them in three matches a similar resolute defensive performance is required.
Edgeworth Eagles v Charlestown City Blues
7.30pm Saturday 29th April at Jack McLaughlan Oval
Last Meeting: Round 16, 2016: Charlestown 1 Edgeworth 2 at Lisle Carr Oval.
Ladder: Edgeworth 7th (9), Charlestown 5th (10)
Past 3 Starts (most recent first):
Edgeworth – Won Jets 1-0 (a), Drew Olympic 1-1 (h), Drew Magpies 0-0 (h)
Charlestown – Lost Jaffas 1-2 (h), Won Olympic 2-1 (a) Lost Magpies 1-2 (h)
Bottom Line
A weight would have been lifted off Edgeworth and Damian Zane’s shoulders on Wednesday night as they claimed just their second win in six matches this season to haul themselves back to within a point of the top four.
Before the midweek match the Eagles had won just once this season – against Adamstown 6-0 – and while in the other four matches they had played competition favourites in Hamilton, Lambton, Broadmeadow and Maitland, Damian Zane would have expected to get more than three points out of those matches.
A win over the Jets Youth would have done their confidence the world of good, and to have reduced the gap to five points with a game in hand on the first-placed Jaffas sets up the back end of the season.
Key: Against an Eagles side who have scored just twice in three games, can the Blues bring the determination and defensive steel they have shown over the last month.
Adamstown Rosebud v Lambton Jaffas
2.30pm Sunday 30th April at Adamstown Oval
Last Meeting: Round 16, 2016: Adamstown 1 Lambton 2 at Adamstown Oval.
Ladder: Adamstown 10th (3), Lambton 1st (14)
Past 3 Starts (most recent first):
Adamstown – Drew Magic 0-0 (h), Lost Roosters 1-2 (h), Lost Phoenix 0-2 (a)
Lambton – Won Blues 2-1 (a), Drew Magic 1-1 (h), Won Roosters 4-0 (a)
Bottom Line
Adamstown will be feeling a little bit better about themselves after a solid defensive showing against Broadmeadow Magic on ANZAC Day. They showed desperation, determination and plenty of grit as they kept out a frustrated Magic side.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Rosebud’s this weekend as a battle with the first-placed Jaffas looms large. It will be a very good test for Pete McGuinness’ side.
They will have to overcome their recent history as well. Adamstown haven’t won in seven matches against the Jaffas dating back to 2012 in the NewFM First Division.
Key: All in the mind. On paper, the Jaffas look to strong, but the same could be said for Magic on ANZAC Day. Can Lambton turn up with the right attitude?
Maitland Magpies v Lake Macquarie City Roosters
2.30 pm Sunday 30th April at Adamstown Oval
Last Meeting: NewFM 1st Division, Round 12, 2010: Maitland 0 Lake Macquarie 1 at Cooks Square Park.
Ladder: Maitland 6th (10), Lake Macquarie 3rd (11)
Last 3 Starts (most recent first):
Maitland – Won Bears 1-0 (h), Lost Phoenix 0-4 (h), Lost Olympic 0-2 (h)
Lakes – Won Rosebud 2-1 (a), Lost Jaffas 0-4 (h), Won Magic 4-1 (a)
Bottom Line
Two sides who haven’t met in seven years face-off at Cooks Square Park with the home side looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Weston midweek when they clash with Lake Macquarie at home on Sunday afternoon.
Both of Maitland’s losses have come at home this season and while a tight 2-0 loss – where they came close to equalising – against Hamilton wouldn’t have concerned coach Phil Dando too much, the 4-0 thumping they received from Valentine would have.
The Phoenix totally outplayed the Magpies on Saturday evening and they cannot afford the same to happen against the Roosters.
Lakes will be fresh after having the bye last weekend and will have regained plenty of confidence after their win against Adamstown last start.
Key: Home Ground Advantage? Maitland have won just four of their last 17 matches at Cooks Square Park. Can they make it two wins in a row at Windy Hill?
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