PS4 NPL NNSW Preview: Round 16

The resilient Bears face another test of their depth when they travel to take on a resurgent Hamilton in PlayStation® 4 NPL Northern NSW match of the round at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.

Hamilton Olympic FC v Weston Workers FC
Sunday 2 August 2.30pm
Darling Street Oval
#OLYvWWB
Match of the Round

Weston ground out a gritty 1-0 win over Charlestown last week to edge ahead to third place on 29 points and now face an Olympic side who found their finishing touch in a 7-0 win over the Newcastle Jets Youth.

The convincing win ended a frustrating run for Hamilton, who had three draws and a loss in their previous four games. They moved to second place on 30 points – three points behind Edgeworth – with the victory and now have the best goal difference in the league.

Weston enter the match without the suspended Zac Sneddon, who is serving the second and final week of his ban.

The Bears farewelled Rob Macbeth, who has moved away for work, last week and Jordan Whitchurch leaves this weekend to take up a college scholarship in America.

Hamilton play Charlestown and Maitland to finish the regular season, while Weston take on Broadmeadow and Edgeworth in the finals weeks.

 

Edgeworth FC v South Cardiff FC 
Friday 31 July 7:30pm
Jack McLaughlan Oval
#EFCvSCG

Edgeworth will be full strength and aiming to make another step towards the minor premiership when they meet a revitalised South Cardiff at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Friday night.

The Eagles defeated Lambton Jaffas 2-1 last week to move three points clear in first place on 33 and they have a full roster to choose from with the return of experienced forward Justin Tannock, who has been away on his honeymoon.

Edgeworth coach Damian Zane said Tannock was likely to return on Sunday in under 22s, where he will have to push his claims for a spot in the club’s FFA Cup side to play Melbourne City at Magic Park on Tuesday night.

South Cardiff are high on confidence and have senior attacking players Jarryd Johnson and Sean Clerke back from suspension.

Edgeworth finish the season against Newcastle Jets Youth and Weston. South Cardiff have Adamstown and Lambton Jaffas in the final two rounds.

 

Adamstown Rosebud FC v Lambton Jaffas FC
Sunday 2 August 2.30pm
Adamstown Oval
#BUDvJAF

Rosebud will come out all guns blazing when they try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against a Lambton Jaffas side still licking their wounds.

Sixth-placed Adamstown moved to 22 points, five behind the top four, with a 2-0 win over Maitland last week.

Lambton lost 2-1 to Edgeworth to drop from second place to fourth on the ladder, one point behind Weston.

Adamstown need to keep winning to have any chance of catching the top four and have the added motivation of sending Nick Hills off on a winning note on Sunday.

Adamstown play South Cardiff and the Jets Youth after Sunday’s match. Lambton have games against Maitland and South Cardiff to finish.

 

Charlestown City Blues FC v Maitland FC
Sunday 2 August 2.30pm
Lisle Carr Oval
#CCBvMFC

It’s desperation stakes for Charlestown and Maitland after South Cardiff’s victory last week against Broadmeadow.

Maitland are only two points ahead of last-placed South Cardiff on 11, while Charlestown sit on 12 points.

Charlestown went down 1-0 to Weston last week and are full strength with the return of Rene Ferguson.

Charlestown have a catch-up game against the Jets Youth on Wednesday then matches against Hamilton and Broadmeadow. Maitland take on Lambton Jaffas and Hamilton in the last two rounds.

 

Broadmeadow Magic FC v Newcastle Jets Youth
Sunday 2 August 2.30pm
Magic Park
#MGCvNEW

Returning Newcastle Jets Youth coach Peter McGuinness is confident he can lift the confidence of his squad for the match against Broadmeadow despite their 7-0 loss to Hamilton last week.

McGuinness was overseas last Sunday when the Jets Youth were humbled at Darling Street Oval and he returns to take charge of a training squad missing Andrew Pawiak, Micheal Kantarovski, Reece Papas and Braedyn Crowley.

The quartet return from the Jets’ Northern NSW tour on Saturday and could be available for the game at Magic Park.

Magic are five points behind the top four on 23 and are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive after a 3-1 loss to South Cardiff last week.

Broadmeadow play Weston and Charlestown in the last two rounds. The Jets Youth are not eligible for the finals and sit on 13 points with matches against Charlestown, Edgeworth and Adamstown remaining after this weekend.

 

Click here for a full preview of all the Round 16 matches.