Match of the Round:
Maitland FC v New Lambton FC
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4pm
Maitland will look to make it nine games unbeaten when they go head-to-head with New Lambton on Sunday afternoon.
The match will be special a special one for Maitland as they will be wearing brain cancer jerseys to help spread awareness and fundraise for the disease in honour of their captain Sophie Stapleford.
Maitland run of results has propelled them up the table into third, four points behind league-leaders Broadmeadow Magic.
To add their success, the Magpies took out the 2023 Women’s State Cup on the weekend, defeating Charlestown Azzurri 2-0 in the final.
The Magpies captain knows the importance of getting a result this weekend and is hopeful that her side can make finals for the first time in the team’s history.
“This game on the weekend I think it’s going to be a really big one for us,” Stapleford said.
“Finals football is where everyone in the team wants to be.
“I think being our only third season and being a team, we have a whole squad not just a first-grade team, it’s a full squad effort.”
“With the squad that we have now, we have a really good opportunity to see a finals game for the first time in the women’s program.
“We just need to stay consistent and keep building on what we have already done.”
Stapleford is aware of the caliber New Lambton possesses, going up against her Newcastle Jets teammates.
“Despite where they are coming on the ladder, that team is good,” Stapleford said.
“They have some real quality players.
“I think they will be ready for a big game as well but we just have to come prepared for that.”
New Lambton co-captain Cass Davis is hoping that her side can continue their winning momentum against the Magpies, after defeating Azzurri 5-1 in Round 16.
“We are coming off the back of a good win,” Davis said.
“There’s a lot of confidence that we have taken from that game, we started really well.”
Despite being six points outside the top four, Davis and her squad are in full belief that they have what it takes to play finals football.
“We know that we are up there with the top four teams,” Davis said.
“We are keen and up for the challenge. We just need to be consistent and win every game.”
But New Lambton know they will have to bring their a-game against the most in-form side in the competition if they want to walk away with the three points.
“Coming into a tough game against Maitland, we have to feel confident,” Davis said.
“I think it comes down to who wants it more.”
“In the past we have slipped at top teams.”
“If we can win first and second ball we will be on the front foot, then we just need to take our chances.”
Davis has been best friends with Stapleford for over 14 years and is happy for her side to be a part of Maitland’s Brain Cancer Awareness fundraiser.
“It will be a great day and will be really great that we can get on board,” Davis said.
“Sophie is a great advocate for brain cancer and has put time and effort into helping others.”
But there is still a friendly rivalry between the two friends when they step on the pitch.
“I think you always want to beat your mates,” Davis said.
“I am always happy for Soph and she is always happy for me. We support each other no matter what.
“We will still be shaking hands and congratulate each other at the end of the match.”
Mid Coast FC v Newcastle Olympic FC
South Street, Tuncurry, Saturday 4pm
Mid Coast be out to stop Olympic from becoming league-leaders this weekend when go head-to-head at South Street, Tuncurry on Saturday.
Olympic sit only two points behind league-leaders Broadmeadow Magic, meaning that three points could elevate them to the top spot.
Mid Coast’s player/coach Emma Stanbury has been clear that the main goal for her side is improvement, which has definitely been the case.
The side have won two of their last five games and will be eager to move in a positive direction on Saturday.
Goalkeeper-turned-striker Grace Davies should be set to return for the Middies from being away, helping to boost the attacking abilities of her side.
Olympic have gone five games unbeaten and will be eager to keep their good run going.
Neil Owen’s side sealed a crucial point against in-form Maitland FC in Round 16 in a 1-1 result.
Attackers Elodie Dagg, Jemma House and Sophie McDonald continue to stand out for their side in attack, scoring 44 between them in the competition this season.
Owens will also be hopeful that Newcastle Jets’ goalkeeper Claire Coelho returns, after she missed the match against Maitland due to illness.
As much as three points is crucial this weekend, the side knows the importance of their goal difference to stay in the premiership race.
Adamstown Rosebud JFC v Broadmeadow Magic FC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Saturday 7pm
Adamstown will be hoping to continue their winning ways from when they take on league-leaders Broadmeadow Magic on Saturday evening.
Rosebud’s finals hopes are all but over, after picking up just one point from six matches. But the side bounced back to confidently defeat Warners Bay 8-0 in Round 16.
Tanya Jones, Courtney Anderson and Leia Puxty have stood tall for Rosebud and Ryan Campbell will be eager for them to continue their form against a strong Broadmeadow outfit.
Broadmeadow have won their last three matches and will be eager to extend their streak and their lead at the top of the table.
Most of their first-grade side sat out of the Women’s State Cup, keeping their side fresh for the back end of the NPL Women’s NNSW season.
Magic’s attack will be in full force with the league’s leading goal-scorer Adriana Konjarski’s return to the side, as well as threats Lucy Jerram and Kiarra Lewis.
Three points will prove crucial for Magic with only two points separating them from Newcastle Olympic.
A loss or a draw could mean Magic slip back down to second on the table. Jake Curley will be eager for his side to put in a solid performance.
Charlestown Azzurri FC v Warners Bay FC
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 4pm
Azzurri will be eager to turn things around and secure their place in the top four when they host Warners Bay at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday.
Charlestown are coming off the back of another successful weekend at the 2023 Women’s State Cup, making it to the finals but narrowly going down to Maitland.
But their latest run in the NPL Women’s NNSW competition has not been as positive, picking up just one point from their last four matches.
Coming into this weekend the side has been dealt a massive blow, with Emily Diaz and Indianna Asimus leaving the Azzurri squad.
Diaz and Asimus have been immense in attack for the Charlestown. But coach Niko Papaspiropoulos believes that he has enough depth in his squad as well signing Newcastle Jets midfielder Lara Gooch to fill the gaps.
Warners Bay will also be coming into the match with some newfound confidence from the Women’s State Cup, winning 2 games.
Striker Steph stood tall for her side and Ryan Swinkles will be hoping that she can do the same against Azzurri.
Warners Bay are still searching for their first win in this competition and will have their work cut out for them against a firey Azzurri side.