NPL NNSW Men’s Round 3 was full of entertainment and top-shelf goals. Check out what is in store for Round 4!
Match of the Round
Lake Macquarie City v Charlestown Azzurri @Macquarie Field, Sunday 2.30pm
Lake Macquarie City have the daunting task of hosting competition leaders Charlestown Azzurri who have a 100 per cent winning record on Sunday.
But there's one thing Lake Macquarie City don't lack, which is a fighting spirit from a team who have scored five goals so far this season.
City coach Steve Piggott will need a plan to pry open the miserly Azzurri defence who have only conceded once in 270 minutes.
"All matches are a challenge home or away," Piggott said.
"The team are trying to find solutions to some of our errors which are defining moments in all our matches.
"Possibly two changes yet to be decided for a couple of injuries on Kaman Bol and Chad Kubica who will be assessed.
Charlestown Azzurri coach James Pascoe produced a tactical masterclass last weekend thwarting Maitland’s attack.
But every match has a tailored game plan which depends on the opposition and the assets at his disposal.
"It's always a 'horses for courses' approach against your weekly opposition in terms of having a plan that stifles their strengths and allows you to use your strength," Pascoe said.
"Putting the plan together is always reliant on the characteristics of the players you have at your disposal.
"We had four players unavailable through injury and suspension last week and made a plan accordingly.
"We will have approximately the same number out again this week. Matt Johnson returns from suspension but Luke Callen is away for work. The injured boys won't be risked.
"We are expecting a tough game at Lakes and will need to perform well to get something out of the game.”
Broadmeadow Magic v Cooks Hill United @Magic Park, Friday 8pm
Riding high from a last-minute winner against Newcastle Olympic, Broadmeadow Magic boss John Bennis is cognisant of the threat Cooks Hill United pose.
"Yes our boys are in good spirits after last weekend's win but we are also aware of the threats we face on Friday night," Bennis said.
"Cooks Hill are undefeated this year and pose a real threat going forward with the second highest goals for in the competition.
"So defensively we have to be prepared for the challenge.
"We have Keanu Moore out suspended and James Cresnar will undergo a fitness test before kick off with an ankle issue.”
Cooks Hill showed fighting spirit equalising in the last minute against Valentine last week to salvage a 2-2 draw.
But fighting spirit is merely a prerequisite to former New Zealand captain Chris Zorocich.
"The fighting spirit or work ethic is the bare minimum we need to challenge any team," said the Cooks Hill United coach.
"Magic are a good side with a strong history and we know we are in for a tough game on Friday night.
"Not available are Liam Spurway [injury] and Jamie Byrnes [suspension].
"Available for selection are Dan Minors and Lachie Pasquale.”
Adamstown Rosebud v New Lambton FC @Adamstown Oval, Saturday 2.30pm
Adamstown Rosebud chalked up their first win of the season last weekend defeating Lake Macquarie City 3-2.
Another strong crowd is expected at Adamstown Oval as the home faithful taste an opportunity for back-to-back wins.
It has been a rollercoaster start to the season for newly promoted New Lambton.
But they are on the rise, the Golden Eagles played their best match of the season last weekend, a hard-fought 1-1 draw against reigning champions Lambton Jaffas.
It is a platform New Lambton coach Thomas Davies is looking to build from.
"The main message for this week is keeping standards, focusing on consistency and togetherness through hard work," Davies said.
"It is another great occasion for the club to play at Adamstown Oval.
"It would be fantastic to see a good crowd in attendance for what will be a highly contested game.
"Fletch Davis is hopefully back after missing last week. Dom Smith will unfortunately be sidelined for an extended period with his injury.”
Weston Workers FC v Newcastle Olympic @Rockwell Automation Park, Saturday 5pm
Rockwell Automation Park has become a fortress for the Bears over the last two weeks.
Kew Jaliens' team will be keen to make it three in a row as his new signings form a formidable partnership with his seasoned players.
New signing Dieusel Kandundaho showed attacking flair, sprinting down the flanks terrorising defenders with speed and trickery.
Kandundaho formed an instant partnership with Bears centre forward Cooper Buswell to defeat Edgeworth 3-2.
Newcastle Olympic will dust themselves down from last week's heartbreaking loss to Broadmeadow.
The Bears are joint second on the table and will be hungry to keep pace with the front runners.
Newcastle Olympic will look to bounce back from last week's heartbreaking 3-2 loss to 10-man Broadmeadow Magic.
At 2-2 Olympic chased the game, searching for the winner when Magic scored in the last minute from a long-range free kick.
Maitland FC v Valentine FC @Cooks Square Park, Saturday 6pm
After last week's loss to Charlestown Azzurri Maitland coach Michael Bolch will look to sharpen things up as they welcome back some familiar faces to Cooks Square Park.
"Looking forward to the game this week," Bolch said.
"Valo have a few of our ex-players in their starting side.
"Our previous captain Carl Thornton who was a great servant to the club, along with his brother Liam and Chris Fayers.
"We will just look to sharpen things up a bit this week especially our ball movement and we have no injury concerns."
Valentine coach Adam Hughes is moving on and closing the book on the chapter of missed chances from last week.
"Last weekend's game we were frustrated with the amount of chances created and goals converted," Hughes said.
"We had chances to put the game out of reach but it didn't happen for us.
"We move on though, that page is now closed and we now focus and prepare for Maitland.
"Soon we will have our full squad available for selection which will intensify competition.
"Training has been of a good level with the players working hard in preparation.”
Edgeworth FC v Lambton Jaffas @Jack McLaughlan Oval, Sunday 2.30pm
Lambton’s injury woes are getting better but it is an agonisingly slow process for Jaffas boss David Tanchevski.
"Unfortunately we only get one back this week in Nathan Verity," Tanchevski said.
"Still out are Papas, Hooley, Pettit, Kantarovski, Riley McNaughton and Remington.
"We have some challenges around a lot of senior players injured.
"We started with five players under 20-years-old last week and it will be similar this week.
"Also a large number of new players which will take some time to gel.
"But there are some really good signs and we will keep building and will get stronger as the season goes on.”
Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness is looking forward to returning home.
"Looking forward to getting back in the home pitch in what should be a tough match," McGuinness said.
"We have everyone available except Tyson Jackson who has a one-week suspension and hoping to have Kevin Dagnet back from injury.”