Once again PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW is blessed with a blockbuster Match of the Round as Weston Bears welcome Edgeworth Eagles in Round 9 at Rockwell Automation Park.
Weston Workers FC vs. Edgeworth FC
Sun 7 June 2:30 PM
Rockwell Automation Park
Match of the Round
The Bears enter the round on the back of a huge win against Broadmeadow. It was their fifth of the season, and combined with a draw and two losses they are on 16 competition points, in fourth place.
Edgeworth finished last weekend in second place, trailing Hamilton by just goal difference. They have the most wins in the competition this season with six and have also lost two, like the Bears, on their way to 18 points.
The Bears have a lot to be confident about after their come-from-behind win last weekend. Trailing the Magic 2-0 after 17 minutes the whole team rallied, however Garry McDermott and Jamie Subat have a lot to be proud of after they stood up for the side, each providing an assist for the other, and McDermott then setting up the match winner for Jake Millsteed in the final minute.
They will be determined to use this confidence this weekend, as a win will take them to at least third, and potentially see them finish the round in second or even first place.
Bears coach Trevor Morris is aware of the threat the Edgeworth Eagles and their young sharp side, but suggested they will ‘have to roll their sleeves up and do it all again’, referring to his side’s Round 8 win.
Edgeworth will be a big task for the Bears, as they are looking very sound defensively, and have won five in a row since losing to Hamilton and Broadmeadow in Rounds 2 and 3 respectively.
Just one look at the form of these two sides suggests that this match is going to be a cracker, as combined they have won nine from ten. Both sides play quality football and are defensively very comfortable, however they have both proved that they can find the back of the net comfortably, which creates so much anticipation and expectation for the Round 9 Match of the Round.
Newcastle Jets Youth vs. Adamstown Rosebud FC
Sat 6 June 2:30 PM
Adamstown Oval
In the only match to take place on Saturday in Round 9, Adamstown Rosebud host the Newcastle Jets Youth at Adamstown Oval.
The Buds enjoyed their second win of the season last weekend defeating South Cardiff 3-0. They moved to nine points, just one and three behind the Jets Youth and Lambton Jaffas respectively, and a win could see them move from seventh to fifth, but would ensure them sixth at the least.
The Jets Youth will be determined to bounce back after three losses, where they conceded a total of ten goals, and halted their three game winning streak.
They are one point and position ahead of the Buds, in sixth on ten points after three wins and a draw to go with four losses in 2015.
The Buds however are in a far better state then they were a month ago in regards to player availability. Roger Dowdell started in last weekend’s win over the Gunners, and they lined up with three first grade players on the bench for the first time this season.
Last season these two sides played in two high scoring matches where eleven goals flew into the back of the net. Unfortunately for Adamstown they only scored one, as the Jets ran rampant 5-1 in Round 2 and 5-0 in Round 11.
The Jets will be hoping they can produce a repeat of 2014 this weekend, however the Buds will be intent on moving from seventh, the highest they have been on the ladder in 2015.
Maitland FC FC vs. Hamilton Olympic FC
Cook Square Park
Sun 7 June 2:30 PM
Maitland welcome Hamilton to Cook Square Park on Sunday afternoon, determined to claim their first huge scalp in their first season back in the top flight after a twelve year absence.
It would be just the momentum the Magpies need after a poor start, sitting in ninth position after a win, a draw, and six losses. They are on four points, just one ahead of the last placed Charlestown.
Hamilton finished Round 8 in first position on 18 points from a possible24. They have won five matches and drawn three this season, and have the best defensive record, being the only side to have not conceded double figures, as they have only had to pick the ball out of the net nine times.
After a 2-1 loss against the Jaffas last weekend, Maitland coach Reece Thompson suggested that he could not fault the effort of his players, putting his hand up to take responsibility for the slow start to the season.
One thing that both Thompson and the Magpies will not do in any match, or point of this season, is give up. They will be a handful for every team they come up against this year, including the league leaders Hamilton this weekend.
This match should be a great battle in all areas of the pitch, as both sides possess quality players all over the park.
Charlestown City Blues FC vs. Broadmeadow Magic FC
Lisle Carr Oval
Sun 7 June 2:30 PM
Charlestown City Blues host Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday afternoon in a match where both sides are looking to bounce back from Round 8 losses.
The Blues have lost seven of their eight games this year, one of which was last weekend, 4-2 away to Hamilton Olympic. Their sole win over Adamstown in Round 2 sees them sitting last on three points.
Broadmeadow forfeited top spot after their loss to Weston last weekend. They dropped to third, on 17 points, after five wins, two draws and a maiden loss.
Last season the side in red scored 24, whereas this year they have two more than that before the halfway mark, suggesting that developments in the front third are a large factor behind the side’s improvement.
Speaking of 2014, these two sides shared mixed head to head results in their two matches. In Round 7 at Magic Park Broadmeadow triumphed 3-0, but then in Round 18 the Blues were victorious 2-0.
This match features a side who have lost just once, taking on a side who have won just once. Charlestown will be no pushovers this weekend however, and the fixture will be hotly contested for the full 90 minutes.
South Cardiff FC vs. Lambton Jaffas FC
Sun 7 June 2:30 PM
Ulinga Oval
The final match of Round 9 of the Northern NSW PS4 National Premier Leagues sees 2014 Grand Final Winners Lambton travel to Ulinga Oval to take on South Cardiff Gunners.
The Gunners have endured a slow start to their 2015 campaign, winning just one game from their opening eight. Combined with two draws and five losses they sit in eighth place on just five points.
Lambton Jaffas scored their third win of the season last weekend. Alongside three draws and two losses they sit one place outside the top four on twelve points.
In 2014 both of these sides took three points from the other at their opponents’ home ground. Jaffas won 3-2 in the pouring rain at Ulinga Oval in Round 9, then South Cardiff won 2-1 at Arthur Edden Oval in Round 16.
This is a trend the Gunners will be hoping to end this week as they look to build some momentum to push themselves up the table, however the Jaffas will be intent on inflicting as much pain as possible on a side struggling for numbers, and for form.
Click here for a full preview of all the Round 9 matches.