By Mat Fox

Lambton Jaffas FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC
Friday 25th April, 3:30pm
Arthur Edden Oval
#JAFvMGC

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Lambton Jaffas welcomes Broadmeadow Magic to Arthur Edden Oval this Friday in a grand final rematch.

Despite finishing first and second and meeting in last season’s decider both sides have recorded just the one win between them in five opening matches.

It has been a slow start from both sides and it will be a big test to see who will come out on top when they meet in the only match of the round on Anzac Day.

Lambton Jaffas are winless at home going down 3-1 to Charlestown City Blues in the opening round and 2-1 to Weston Workers last week, with the 3-0 away win to bottom of the table Lake Macquarie City in between them.

Lambton Jaffas Coach David Tanchevski knew it would take time for his new squad to find consistency but has been left frustrated with recent performances, conceding five goals in both home games and as Tanchevski said “conceding minutes after equalising and getting back into the game.”

Tanchevski said this “week’s focus will be on getting our defence right.”

The Jaffas had the best defensive record in the competition last season conceding just 23 goals in 18 matches but are searching for answers in the back third early in the new season; they will certainly want to erase any memory on conceding four goals against their opposition in the final last season.

Coming into the season Tanchevski wanted to avoid the ‘second season blues’ that many sides have suffered after taking the competition by storm in their introductory season into the top flight and last year’s grand finalists will face Hamilton Olympic and Edgeworth following this contest so Lambton knows the importance of the next three matches.

Broadmeadow Magic still has the game in hand against Adamstown Rosebud and otherwise has a 0-0 result against Weston Workers and 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets Youth to their name so far this season.

Still yet to score in the competition, they have only conceded one goal and much of that has been down to the outstanding performances of veteran Chris Bowling in goals who has had a stellar start to the season. However Broadmeadow Magic will look for its attacking partnerships to show the class it is capable of in the final third to take the ascendancy in the match.

Coach Glen Chapman said his side “had a very pleasing second half performance” against the Newcastle Jets Youth last week “but the boys were disappointed in the end and are very much looking forward to the Lambton game.”

Chapman will look for his side to keep possession in crucial areas and not turn over the ball, particularly against a side that has a lot of flare upfront this week.

Broadmeadow Magic ran out 4-1 winners in the grand final recording their third straight title in the process, while both sides shared the points during the regular season with a 1-0 win to Broadmeadow Magic in the opening round and Lambton recording a 3-1 win in round 10.

Both sides know they haven’t clicked yet and are waiting for the results of their hard work at training to execute their playing system on the pitch.

It will be a great game to watch to see which team can get it together on the day; obviously a lot of talent will be on display on the pitch and a great match between two sides battling for form and much needed competition points.

Lake Macquarie City FC v Edgeworth FC
Sunday 27th April, 2:45pm
Macquarie Field
#LMCvEFC

Lake Macquarie City will look for their first points of the season against an in form Edgeworth side at Macquarie Field on Sunday.

Lake Macquarie City has three losses to its name so far conceding ten goals in the process and will look for a tighter performance against an attacking side this weekend.

The home side have shown periods of form despite the heavy losses with glimpses against Hamilton Olympic and Weston Workers but will know they will get punished for their mistakes and can’t afford to give Edgeworth any breathing space.

Edgeworth comes into the contest after a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets Youth in their rescheduled round one fixture at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night, and a 7-0 drubbing of Charlestown City Blues the week before.

The Eagles got off to a slow start whilst looking defensively solid against the Jets Youth before rain interrupted play in the opening round, their execution and distribution wasn’t great and that was followed by a goalless draw against South Cardiff.

However Edgeworth has gone on to score nine goals without conceding in their next two fixtures to go top of the table after three matches and they looked well in control against the Newcastle Jets Youth on Wednesday night, particularly pleasing was their second half performance where they more than controlled proceedings.

Edgeworth Coach Gary Wilson said his side have been improving in the final third after starting the season off defensively solid and their +9 goal difference certainly rings true to that.

Hector Mendez came on just after the break on Wednesday night after the home side carried a 1-0 lead into the half time break through a Bren Hammel free kick.

Mendez looked dangerous every time he received the ball and showed he is capable of opening up scoring opportunities that is a class above what most players are capable of.

If Edgeworth continue to play their system well and get the ball into the right areas, and also open up the right chances with the likes of Mendez up front they will be very difficult for Lake Macquarie to handle.

Lake Macquarie Coach Gary Rowe has been looking for more consistent performances from his young side and will be hoping for things to go his way this weekend with his side putting themselves on the back foot through poor decision making in recent weeks.

Lake Macquarie conceded a two goal deficit to Hamilton Olympic last week giving away two penalties before the half time break, something they know you can’t do against quality opposition, and also went down to ten men halfway through the second half.

Rowe knows his side needs to score first to settle into the contest but also come up against a side yet to concede in the competition and are capable of punishing on the counter so will know his side needs to keep their shape this weekend.

It will be a great game to see how it plays out at Macquarie Field on Sunday.

Charlestown City Blues FC v Adamstown Rosebud FC
Sunday 27th April, 2:45pm
Lisle Carr Oval
#CCBvBUD

Charlestown City Blues return home after their shock 7-0 defeat and will hope to restore some pride as they face newly promoted Adamstown Rosebud at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday.

The defeat was one of the biggest in recent history and the home side will be looking to put the result quickly behind them after otherwise recording two pretty good results in the competition.

Charlestown recorded an impressive win over Lambton Jaffas in the opening round and then secured a draw against Hamilton Olympic despite having the better of the play; both were top three sides last season.

Fortunately the home side will be strengthened this weekend after being severely depleted against Edgeworth, and will be prepared for a hungry Adamstown Rosebud outfit.

Adamstown recorded their first win of the season last week and Coach Anthony Richards said that “will certainly boost the boy’s confidence on the road against tough opposition.”

Look for a Charlestown City Blues side to get back to the form that saw them beat Lambton 3-1 away from home in the opening round and then have the better of play in the 0-0 draw against Hamilton Olympic the following week.

Adamstown will be weary of going up against a side coming off such a big loss and knows they will be more than eager to come out strong at home and the visitors will have to fight well to stay in the game.

They were pressured for large parts against the Gunners last week and despite being a goal down at the break, fought well and got the goals they needed to secure a result.

Scott Carter has been impressive in goals and they will look for another big game from him if the home side is as dangerous as they can be in and around the penalty area.

It should be a good game at Lisle Carr Oval this Sunday between Charlestown City Blues and Adamstown Rosebud.

 

Weston Workers FC v Hamilton Olympic FC
Sunday 27th April, 2:45pm
Rockwell Automation Park
#WWBvOLY

Its second verses third as Weston Workers and Hamilton Olympic meet at Rockwell Automation Park on Sunday.

Both sides remain undefeated with two wins and a draw to their name so far this season as they look to get the better of each other this weekend.

Weston Workers have been the early surprise under new coach Steve Piggott after dominating Broadmeadow Magic on their home ground and getting the three points away to Lambton Jaffas.

Hamilton Olympic has had some impressive results themselves however Coach Michael Bolch still knows there is some room for improvement on their early performances.

Bolch said “if you can still get results while doing so that’s a bonus” as they have put four goals past their opposition in their two wins while still improving.

Weston Workers defeated Hamilton Olympic 1-0 in both of their encounters last season on their way to finishing fifth and securing a spot in the finals.

However it was the visitors who defeated them 3-1 in the semi finals and both sides always provide some tough contests and this week should be no different.

 

South Cardiff FC v Newcastle Jets Youth FC
Sunday 27th April, 2:45pm
Ulinga Oval
#SCGvNEW

Both South Cardiff and Newcastle Jets Youth will look to bounce back this week as they meet at Ulinga Oval on Sunday.

The Gunners are still without a win in the competition, and despite dominating for large periods against Adamstown Rosebud last week they walked away with a 3-2 loss after missing a penalty and conceding a last minute winner away from home.

Newcastle Jets Youth recorded an impressive 5-1 win over Adamstown followed by a 1-0 win over Broadmeadow Magic but were outclassed in the 2-0 defeat by Edgeworth Eagles in their rescheduled round one fixture on Wednesday night.

Both sides will look for better execution on the ball after being punished for giving the ball away cheaply.

South Cardiff defeated the Newcastle Jets Youth in both encounters last season with a 2-1 and 2-0 wins but they know they will have their work cut out for them this weekend.

The Gunners will feel a bit hard done by after having very promising stages against Edgeworth and Adamstown but failing to capitalise to convert that form into three points and will be looking to execute and take their chances this weekend after having chances last week including a penalty to go in front.

It should be an action packed game with the home side desperate to put points on the board and improve on their form.