The NPL returns this weekend with all the Round 11 fixtures set down for Sunday.
There are some important matchups, which could well decide the fate of several teams pushing for a finals birth and trying to avoid the drop.
NEWCASTLE JETS YOUTH v MAITLAND FC @ Cooks Square Park
Three points is vital for both teams. Maitland is only 2 points from the bottom and need another performance like their 4 nil win over South Cardiff to give themselves some breathing space. Jets Youth have been disappointing this season. To be honest they should be on top or at least in the top half. The Jets last win was in Round 5 against Charlestown City and since that game they have conceded 15 goals. It’s a different story for the Magpies who have won two of their last four including pushing title defenders Lambton and current leaders Hamilton all the way. So Maitland would have to go in as slight favourites, especially with the game at Cook Square Park.
HAMILTON OLYMPIC v ADAMSTOWN ROSEBUDS @ Darling Street
Fresh from a weekend off, Olympic will look to maintain their lead on top of the NPL when they host neighbours and rivals Adamstown Rosebuds. The Rosebuds bowed out of the FFA Cup last Sunday and it was their first loss in all competitions since early May. Hamilton has not suffered defeat in the NPL yet and they will be confident of continuing that trend in front of a strong Darling Street crowd. When these two last met it was a 2 all draw at Adamstown.
CHARLESTOWN CITY v LAMBTON JAFFAS @ Lisle Carr Field
It has been a season of ups and down for theses two clubs, unfortunately for the Blues their has been more downs. A win in Round 9 over then leaders Broadmeadow was followed up with a disappointing home defeat to Edgeworth. Lambton have turned an patchy start to the season around with three wins on the trot and now find themselves in the top 4 for the first time since Round 4. 10 goals in those past three victories has built a nice base for the defending champions to once again be a contender for the title. With Broadmeadow and Adamstown breathing down their neck, a slip up against Charlestown will see all their hard work go out the window. A crucial game for both teams, could just bring a load of goals.
BROADMEADOW v EDGEWORTH FC @ Magic Park
Last week these two showed great form to win their way through to the FFA Cup Round of 32. Edgeworth carried their NPL form into last weekends cup ties whilst the Magic had a form reversal after dropping from first to fifth on the NPL ladder in 3 weeks. Although Broadmeadow has lost their previous 3 NPL games they still boast the best attack in the league with 26 goals. Edgeworth are not far behind them with 21 but it’s there defence which holds the key to victory. When they last met in Round 3, it was a big win for the Magic 4-1. The biggest margin against the Eagles all year, so the Magic know a way past the Eagles defence which makes for an exciting clash at Magic Park this Sunday.
WESTON WORKERS v SOUTH CARDIFF @ Rockwell Automation Park
Last years runners-up have had a few indifferent performances of late. The Bears fell to Adamstown in Round 10 but had strong wins over Broadmeadow and Edgeworth but are they the real deal?
The Bears host a Gunners side desperate for a win and the lads from South Cardiff will be quietly confident of an upset as they defeated the Bears at Rockwell last season 1 nil. It hasn’t been the fortress in 2015 that Weston would have like either, with only 2 wins from 5 games. A win is vital for different reasons, it could just mean that this will produce plenty of goals.
source:sportshunter.com.au
George Tsamouras Football Journey 