PS4 NPL NNSW Preview: Round 10

The PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW Match of the Round is the third top four match to headline a round in three weeks, as leaders Hamilton take on their traditional rivals Broadmeadow Magic.

Match of the Round
Hamilton Olympic FC vs. Broadmeadow Magic FC
Sun 14 June 2:30 PM
Darling Street Oval

Hamilton have won six and drawn three in their opening nine matches. They are first on 21 points, leading second placed Weston by two points.

Broadmeadow trail their Round 10 opponents by four points. They have won five matches this season, and combined with a pair of draws and losses they sit in fourth spot on 17 points.

The first half of the season has been bright for Hamilton. This time last season they were third, but had recorded two less wins, a loss, scored less and conceded more. A second half of the season collapse saw them finish outside the top five, and consequently miss out on the finals. This was something they vowed to change this year, and they are certainly on the right track to featuring in the post regular season matches.

Just like Hamilton, Magic have been superior in 2015, improving in all areas including wins, losses, goals for and against, and points compared to nine rounds of 2014.

They started the season in dominant fashion, and after seven rounds they were first, on five wins and two draws, scoring at over three goals a game. Since then they have lost to both Weston and Charlestown, 4-3 and 1-0 respectively, and slipped to fourth.

 

Newcastle Jets Youth vs. Lambton Jaffas FC
Sat 13 June 2:30 PM
Arthur Edden Oval

The opening match of the round sees the Newcastle Jets Youth travel to Arthur Edden Oval to challenge the Jaffas for the second time this year.

Lambton finished the second half of the season in a fierce manner, winning their Round 9 match against South Cardiff 5-0 and declaring to the top four sides that a typical Jaffas second half of the season resurgence is on its way.

Luke Remington bagged a double in that win with the first two goals of the match, and then goals to Alex Palozzi, John Majurovski and Michael Bridges completed the victory.

They have had another slow start this season, but have recently started to turn that around. They are in fifth position following four wins, three draws and two losses.

The Newcastle Jets Youth are currently three places outside the top four after a disappointing start to the 2015 season. They have won three matches, drawn one and lost five.

These two sides competed against one another four times in the past year, of which the Jaffas proudly won three. Their most recent win was in Round 1 this year when they prevailed 3-2. The Jets’ Beau McDonald opened the scoring, however a flurry of Jaffas goals by Alex Palozzi, Peter McPherson and John Majurovski put the home side ahead at half time. Michael Kantarovski scored the only goal of the second half.

The margin in three of those games has been one goal, with the other being two in a Jaffas 2-0 win in 2014, and therefore this match should be extremely tight and competitive. A win would do the Jaffas a world of good in regards to their top four push, however the Jets Youth will be determined not to make it five losses in a row.

 

Weston Workers FC vs. Adamstown Rosebud FC
Sat 13 June 2:30 PM
Rockwell Automation Park

In the second of two key Saturday afternoon matches Weston Workers host Adamstown Rosebud at Rockwell Automation Park.

Weston begin the second half of the season where they finished 2014, in second. They have won six times, drawn just once and lost twice. This has them sitting on 19 points, just two behind leaders Hamilton.

The Bears have affirmed their top four position in recent weeks, with late winners in their 4-3 win over Broadmeadow and 1-0 win over Edgeworth, both of whom are also top four sides.

This weekend they are hoping to welcome back James Monie and Jason Cowburn, however will be without Rob Macbeth who was sent off for the second time this season last weekend.

The Rosebud are in extremely hot form heading into this match. They suffered a slow early start to the season but have won four of their last three matches, the other being a draw. This undefeated run has seen them jump from ninth on two points, to sixth on twelve, just five points outside the top four.

As is the case in the Match of the Round between Magic and Olympic, these two sides played out a scoreless draw in Round 1, but with both in great form this match should be a very entertaining affair.

 

Maitland FC vs. South Cardiff FC
Sun 14 June 2:30 PM
Cook Square Park

The match at Maitland this week is one of the most significant in Round 10, as it will determine which of the two sides, Maitland or South Cardiff, will not only finish the round in last, but begin the second half of the season there.

The Magpies are currently on the bottom of the ladder after just one win, one draw and seven losses.

They recorded their first win three weeks ago against Charlestown, and have since gone agonisingly close in 2-1 losses to Lambton and Hamilton.

The side from Ulinga Oval has been plagued with injury this season. This weekend they are without seven players including Dean Kelley, Lee Ashton, Mitch Wallace, Matt Whilesmith, Mat Grey, Alex Brandrick and Fletcher Price. They could also be without Nathan Stevens and Sam Parker who are in doubt, although Stevens returned last weekend.

That match was significant as it was a chance for both sides to begin the season on a high. This match is far more significant as it provides both sides with a huge chance to either move off, or away from the drop zone.

 

Charlestown City Blues FC vs. Edgeworth FC
Sun 14 June 2:30 PM
Lisle Carr Oval

In the final match of Round 10 of the Northern NSW PS4 National Premier Leagues, Charlestown City Blues host the Edgeworth Eagles at Lisle Carr Oval.

The Blues lifted themselves off the bottom of the table, recording just their second win in Round 9. Combined with seven losses, the joint most in the competition, they sit in a not so comfortable eighth with South Cardiff and Maitland one and two points behind them respectively.

Edgeworth’s five match winning streak ended last week with a 1-0 defeat to Weston, as they conceded uncharacteristically from a set piece late in the game.

The Blues will be looking to create some momentum after the huge 1-0 win against Broadmeadow last weekend courtesy of a Ben Hughes penalty.

It was just their second win after a horror start to the season that has seen them emerge as a favourite to finish in the last placed relegation spot.

The Blues do not believe this is the case however, and their victory over Magic proves their courage and resilience is at a high. Another win over a top four side in Edgeworth this weekend would give the Blues a world of confidence, and could spark a major comeback as they look to make the finals for a second year in a row.

These two sides kicked off the PS4 NPL season back in April on a cold Friday night, with the Eagles cruising to a 4-0 victory. The Blues are determined not to allow this to happen again on Sunday, and even more determined to pick up the three points on their home turf.

 

Click here for a full preview of all the Round 10 matches.