This weekend marks the final round of PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW 2015 of the regular season, with five huge match ups before rolling into the finals series.
Edgeworth FC vs. Weston Workers FC
Sun 16 August 2:30 PM
Jack McLaughlin Oval
Match of the Round
#EFCvWWB
If you are looking for a match full of excitement, pride, passion and action, then look no further than then Match of the Round as Edgeworth and Weston go to war, each with a different, but season defining intention.
Edgeworth have been the most successful side this season so far, leading the pack by a point. They have won twelve, drawn once and lost four on their way to thirty-seven points, which sees them in the box seat for the Premiership.
Long story short: a win and they are Premiers, however a draw, even a loss, may be enough.
Should Hamilton lose and Lambton drop points then the Eagles are guaranteed the top spot. The club, its coach Damian Zane, and the players will not be looking for other results to get them over the line however, they are going for the win.
Just like that match this one will be broadcast live on Bar TV, however the best spot to watch the action unfold will be in the grand stand or on the hill at Jack McLaughlin Oval, as the Eagles fight for the premiership and the Bears fight for their finals hopes.
Adamstown Rosebud FC vs. Newcastle Jets Youth
Sat 15 August 2:30 PM
Adamstown Oval
#BUDvNEW
The opening game of the final round of 2015 sees the Adamstown Rosebud host the Newcastle Jets Youth, in a match where both sides will be looking to achieve maximum points, and as a result end their season on a high.
The Rosebud are on twenty-five points following seven wins four draws and seven losses this season, surpassing their 2014 performance. Sitting behind them in seventh are the Jets Youth who have won five drawn two and lost ten.
Regardless of the result in this match, and all other matches in Round 18, these two sides will finish the season in those positions.
The Rosebud have been unlucky in season 2015, losing Guy Bates and Garry Kenneth before expected, Stu Musialik unable to feature in a First Grade fixture, and key players like Nick Hills and Travis Cooper only participating in parts of the season.
This is the last game for both sides as the Jets were never going to feature in the finals, and the Rosebud’s chances were dashed three weeks ago.
Both sides however, will be determined to end their season on a high, as winners, and highlight their character as fighters until the end.
Lambton Jaffas FC vs. South Cardiff FC
Sat 15 August 2:30 PM
Arthur Edden Oval
#JAFvSCG
Lambton host the South Cardiff Gunners at Arthur Edden Oval in their Round 18 match on Saturday afternoon.
The Jaffas are currently third following an impressive ten wins, four draws and three losses this season.
A win on Saturday takes them to first on the ladder, for a night at least. They can finish the season as Premiers if they do win, and Edgeworth and Hamilton both lose the following day to Weston and Maitland respectively.
South Cardiff are also in a scenario where they need a win, and another side to lose, but for a completely different reason.
The Gunners have won just twice, drawn three times and lost twelve matches this season. Sitting in tenth they trail ninth placed Maitland by three points, and with an inferior goal difference of eleven they would need a huge win, and Maitland to get beat by a considerable margin by Hamilton, to avoid relegation.
Both sides will be determined to pick up the three points in this match, and with the Gunners requiring a huge effort to beat relegation expect an abundance of of shots, fast paced action and free space in the middle of the park in this game.
Hamilton Olympic FC vs. Maitland FC
Sun 16 August 2:30 PM
Darling Street Oval
#OLYvMFC
Two sides at opposite ends of the table go head to head at Darling Street Oval on Sunday afternoon, as Hamilton Olympic host Maitland FC in what should be an enthralling day with immense atmosphere.
Olympic enter the final round of the season one point behind leaders Edgeworth. With a superior goal difference the scenario is simple: win and hope Edgeworth drop points, or draw and hope Edgeworth lose.
Even if Olympic do not finish the season as Premiers they will view the season as a major success after finishing sixth in 2014, and missing out on the Top Five which in that season would play in the finals series.
Despite winning the club championship that year coach Mick Bolch was not impressed with the season, suggesting that ‘it is never a successful season when first grade miss the semi finals’.
Maitland are almost guaranteed safety from relegation, although it is not impossible.
The side from Cook square Park sit ninth following three wins, as many draws, and eleven losses. They are just three points ahead of last placed South Cardiff, but have a superior goal difference by eleven.
This means that South Cardiff would need to heavily defeat Lambton, and the Magpies would need to be heavily defeated themselves, if the Gunners were to survive and edge out Maitland.
Broadmeadow FC vs. Charlestown City Blues FC
Sun 16 August 2:30 PM
Magic Park
#MGCvCCB
The final match of Round 18 of the PS4 NNSW NPL sees Broadmeadow Magic play host to Charlestown City Blues on Sunday afternoon at Magic Park.
Magic moved into fourth spot last week with a 1-0 win over Weston away from home, with Luke Virgili scoring the game’s only goal in the fifty-sixth minute.
It was their ninth win of the year, and combined with two draws and six losses they are within a fingertip of a finals spot.
Coaches Rob Virgili and Bobby Naumov will be happy with the current situation. Even though they will most likely need to win, with Weston breathing down their necks, things could be far worse for the side from Magic Park.
Just three weeks ago, in Round 15, Magic were five points outside the top four and looked certain to miss out on the finals for the second year in a row.
They have fought back though, and a win this weekend guarantees them a finals spot, where they will take on whoever finishes first in a home and away fixture for a place in the Grand Final.
Charlestown are in eighth position on the ladder after four wins, one draw and twelve losses this season.
Eighth is the highest they can finish however if they lose and Maitland beat or draw with Hamilton Olympic then the Blues will drop to and finish the season in ninth spot.
Click here for a full preview of all the Round 18 matches.