Round 2 of the PlayStation®4 NPL Northern NSW sees league leaders Broadmeadow Magic welcome the Lambton Jaffas to Magic Park on Sunday afternoon.
Match of the Round
Broadmeadow Magic FC v Lambton Jaffas FC
Sunday, April 17, 2:30pm
Magic Park
Last week Broadmeadow showed why Magic Park is one of the toughest away days in the league, downing Adamstown with seven goals, three of which came from James Virgili down the wing.
Lambton took a loss in the first round of the competition, but with the defeat coming at the hands of the defending champions Edgeworth, the Jaffas cannot be faulted with dropping the points last weekend.
This match will be a vital three points for the travelling team however – two back to back losses to open the season could see confidence drop for the strong side and a win for Lambton against Magic, while difficult, will be crucial.
One thing is for sure in the Match of the Round – Magic Park saw nine goals last weekend, and Lambton lost to the defending champions only minutes before the final whistle. This game will be a highlight of the season for every fan, regardless of the final result.
Edgeworth FC v Weston Workers FC
Friday, April 15, 9pm
Jack McLaughlan Oval
Returning home after an away trip last weekend, defending champions Edgeworth will play late on Friday evening against the Weston Workers Bears, who are still looking for their first win in the 2016 season.
Two late goals from Ayden Brice and Keanu Moore saw Edgeworth take back the lead away from home last weekend and claim all three points in their first season outing and Damian Zane’s outfit will be eager for another win on the weekend to push their strong start further ahead.
Weston had a harder time of collecting points in their fixture however as they took part in a shoot-out with the Jets Youth in a six goal thriller that saw both teams leave the ground with a single point each.
Nothing is to be taken for granted this early in the season and Weston away from home is not to be underestimated – Friday evening will prove whether Edgeworth can continue their hot streak from the 2015 double.
Newcastle Jets Youth v Charlestown City Blues FC
Saturday, April 16, 2:30pm,
Lisle Carr Oval
The first game on Saturday afternoon is to be played at Lisle Carr Oval, where the Newcastle Jets Youth come up against the Charlestown City Blues.
With most teams in the competition coming off closely fought draws, both the Jets and the Blues now both look for a boost on the table in taking home three points.
The Jets Youth will be focusing on their scoring star from the first match, Cameron Joice, who showed great character for a young player when he wrong-footed the Bears’ keeper to open the scoring for the boys in red and blue.
Joice will have a tough time breaking down Nathan Archbold between the sticks for the Blues, however with Charlestown’s new signing, he will be keen for a clean sheet in his new club colours and everything to prove after his move away from Magic at the start of the season.
Charlestown and the Jets both need the win as a leg up in a season that could mean a place higher than mid-table for both sides and both coaches will be eyeing the victory as a way to keep their squad on the right track.
Lisle Carr Oval will be the host of an exciting game for all who attend. With the Jets boasting a dangerous attacking side and Charlestown keeping their squad on an upward trajectory, it will be a battle between both sides to secure their first win of the season.
Valentine FC v Maitland FC
Saturday, April 16, 3pm
Cahill Oval
An old table-topping battle from the NewFM 1st Division, Valentine now welcome Maitland to Cahill Oval in the top league in Northern NSW, with both teams looking for their first win of the season.
With both teams having recruited strongly in the off season to avoid the bottom of the table, each coach will be eyeing all three points to keep their objectives alive and make clear that their signings have been influential on their sides.
Cahill Oval will be the staging ground for both teams, they will both be eager to get 3 points and their first win of the season.
Hamilton Olympic FC v Adamstown Rosebuds FC
Saturday, April 16, 6pm
Darling Street Oval
Fresh off the back of a goalless draw against Maitland, Hamilton Olympic will take on Adamstown Rosebuds at Darling Street Oval on Saturday evening.
The Rosebuds were on the other end of the spectrum in terms of goals in their game, with nine goals in their match against Broadmeadow and seven of them going against them.
The travelling side will be looking to set the record straight on the start of their season, but Olympic are not a team that they can easily claim a victory over, especially with their team back to full force.
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