The Match of the Round in PlayStation® 4 NPL Northern NSW, presents the first battle between perennial rivals Hamilton Olympic and Broadmeadow Magic, two sides who are yet to be defeated in 2016.
Match of the Round
Hamilton Olympic FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC
Sunday, May 15, 2.30pm
Darling Street Oval
Hamilton have had the wood over Magic of late winning 4 of the last 5 clashes between the pair. In fact, the last time Broadmeadow beat Hamilton was in 2013, where they needed 6 goals to get past Olympic in a thrilling 6-5 win at Darling Street.
Hamilton will be full of confidence after last weeks’ Grand Final rematch, where they nosed out Edgeworth in what was a very tight encounter 3-2. Goalkeeper Danny Ireland was outstanding and you wonder just how many points his performances in goals for Hamilton will be worth come seasons end.
Key: With the best defence in the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW competition - Hamilton will need to keep up their outstanding defensive record against a Broadmeadow side that has the best attack in the competition.
Valentine FC v Edgeworth FC
Saturday, May 14, 3pm
Cahill Oval
After their first win of the year against Weston last weekend, Valentine return home to Cahill Oval for Round 6 of the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW. They will come up against an Edgeworth side that will be keen to avenge their first loss of the season to Hamilton, a 3-2 loss that was a thrilling encounter.
Valentine have started out of the blocks slowly in 2016 as they grabbed just one point from their opening 4 fixtures, but a strong performance against Weston away from home will boost the confidence of the men in orange.
The key for the home side will be Brenton Olzomer, who has been outstanding over the opening two rounds of the competition where he has scored 3 goals in total. Olzomer was back among the goal scorers in Round 5 taking his tally to 4 for the season and there is no doubt he’ll be looking for more against his former club.
Key: Can Edgeworth’s defence keep their former teammate Brenton Olzomer quiet?
Adamstown Rosebud FC v Newcastle Jets Youth
Sunday, May 15, 2.30pm
Adamstown Oval
Will the Adamstown’s fortunes turn around in this Round 6 matchup? In just 6 rounds they have had two goalkeepers sent off, as well as midfielder Dane Pawlik. Captain Dan Clements, one of the cornerstones of Graham Law’s young side, as well as Alex Gillespie are both out for the season.
After a 2-0 win over Valentine in Round 3, things looked on the up for the Rosebud, but how things quickly went south. Scott Carter was sent off last in that clash, before Clements was injured in their 2-0 defeat at Charlestown the week after.
Key: Thom Lino and Cameron Joice. With two young sides doing battle, can either of these impressive youngsters inspire their side to a win?
Maitland FC v Lambton Jaffas FC
Sunday May 15, 2.30pm
Cooks Square Park
Both Maitland and Lambton have started the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW season heading in different directions.
For Maitland they were laying just outside the top 4 after their massive 6-1 victory over Adamstown on the weekend, however after last night’s catch up victory over the Jets they have moved to equal second.
Maitland are one of just four sides left in the competition who have not lost a match but coach Steve Piggott believes his side has some improvement left in their attack.
“The only thing that has been frustrating for us is not putting the ball in the back of the net. Last week we did, but one game where we put the ball in the net isn’t enough, we still had 20 or 30 chances in that game and put 6 in. The positive for me is that we can only improve.”
Lambton’s form to start 2016 has been scratchy to say the least. After 3 tough matches to start the season against Edgeworth, Hamilton and Broadmeadow, the Jaffas looked like they had turned a corner after disposing of Valentine 2-0 in round 4. But it wasn’t to be for Lambton as Charlestown took them down 3-1 on the weekend.
Key: Can Lambton’s mix of youth and experience find their mojo against a Maitland side yet to be beaten in 2016?
Charlestown City Blues FC v Weston Workers FC
Sunday, May 15, 2.30pm
Lisle Carr Oval
Charlestown have shocked many with their unbeaten start the year and a return home to Lisle Carr Oval in Round 6 will be a welcome boost for a side written off as title contenders before the season started.
Charlestown haven’t beaten Weston since 2013, that was a 4-2 win at home, and in 2015 Weston grabbed 6 points from a possible 6 against the Blues with 3-1 and 1-0 victories in what was a disappointing season for Charlestown.
But in 2016, all the running will be with the home side, and they will go into this one as favourites to make it 6 games unbeaten. With the likes of Scott Smith and Rene Ferguson on fire in the goal scoring department and Captain Ben Hughes steadying the ship in the midfield Charlestown have been outstanding. The question is, can they keep it up?
Before Nathan Morris’ penalty in the last kick on the game last Sunday, Weston hadn’t scored in the 390 minutes of football, with Weston’s defence where they have earned their points this year.
To hold Broadmeadow Magic scoreless in Round 2 was nothing short of brilliant for Trevor Morris’ side, given Magic has scored 14 goals in their other 4 matches.
Key: Weston will need to keep Rene Ferguson and Scott Smith quiet if they want to claim a vital three points at Lisle Carr Oval.
CLICK HERE for a full Round 6 preview.