Round 16 of the 2026 NPL competition of Northern NSW pitches Newcastle Olympic against Maitland FC at Cook Square Park on Sunday! The two matches for both Reserve Grade and First Grade will be difficult and both teams need to be at their very best to come away with any points.
Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade are at the top of the points table with 29 points while Maitland hold fourth spot on 22 and with a game in hand. Olympics’ mid-season slip up which saw them lose three successive games after leading the pack by as many as 6 points appears to be over.
The two problems faced by the team have been injuries and playing only two competitive matches in four weeks. Hopefully the wet weather is behind us and the team will return to the rhythm that saw them winning 7 games and drawing 1 from their opening 8 matches! Injuries to key players such as Jesse Fitzgerald and Oliver Steinerts coupled with the departure of others like Kane Treble and Steven Theacos to First Grade, has left the coaching staff with less options on the bench.
Olympic defeated Maitland by 3-1 at Darling St Oval earlier in the year but Maitland are strong at home and last week defeated Valentine who were league leaders until that match. On their day, Olympic can destroy the best of teams but to achieve this against Maitland, they need to give 100%.
The match is scheduled for an 11:00am Kick off at Cooks Square Park on Sunday 21st June 2026.
Newcastle Olympic First Grade will also have their hands full against Maitland FC but for different reasons! The boys in blue are 3 points off bottom place and a mere 1 point off second last which leads to a play off to remain in the division. By contrast, Maitland FC is in 4th place on the ladder and has a very good chance of making the finals.
Maitland defeated Olympic 3-2 in the Darling St Oval fixture earlier in the season and will be looking to do the same at Cooks Square Park. If Olympic have self-belief in being able to spoil the fun for Maitland, they most certainly can come away with a point or even points! Everything will depend on the attitude with which they begin the match and the level of commitment they demonstrate during the match.
The match is scheduled for a 1:00pm Kick off at Cooks Square Park on Sunday 21st June 2026.
Source: Tom Tsamouras
