By Blake Jarrett

Lake Macquarie City FC vs. Hamilton Olympic FC
Macquarie Field
Sunday 29th June 2.45pm
#LMCvOLY
Match of the Round 

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In the National Premier League Round 12 Match of the Round bottom ranked Lake Macquarie host sixth placed Hamilton Olympic at Macquarie Field.

Lake Macquarie have endured a tough start to the season, managing only five points after a maiden win, two draws and eight losses.

Hamilton’s season got off to a flyer, however they have managed just five points in their last five games, and have dropped from third to sixth.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back after mid week rescheduled match losses followed Round 11 defeats.

Lake Macquarie were beaten 5-2 by Lambton in Round 11, then defeated 3-2 by Weston last Wednesday night.

Hamilton went down to Charlestown in Round 11, then scored first only to then be defeated the following Tuesday against South Cardiff.

Three points this weekend is crucial for both sides for different reasons.

Lake Macquarie sits five behind second last Adamstown with just seven games remaining. Every match is as important as the next for the Roosters who will be desperate to avoid relegation. They will be hoping that their push to stay in the NPL will begin this weekend.

Hamilton slipped out of the top six after Charlestown beat Lambton last night in their rescheduled clash. They are a massive seven points behind the leaders, Newcastle Jets Youth. A win this weekend would kick start their rise back up the table as they look to re-enter the top five.

The last time the two sides met, Hamilton defeated Lake Macquarie 4-1 at Darling Street Oval thanks to doubles from Pat Brown and Dave Hodgson.

They will be hoping for a repeat of that performance in this weekend’s Match of the Round, whereas Lake Macquarie will be determined to reverse that result and pick up the three points in front of a home crowd on Sunday afternoon.

 

Newcastle Jets Youth vs. Broadmeadow Magic FC
Magic Park
Saturday 28th June 2.45pm 
#NEWvMGC

In the opening match of Round 12 the Newcastle Jets Youth take on Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle Jets Youth lead the competition after eleven rounds, following seven wins, two draws and as many losses.

Broadmeadow are currently seventh on sixteen points, aware that a win this weekend could take them to as high as third, whilst closing the gap on the league leaders in the process.

The Newcastle Jets Youth begin the round in devastating form having only lost one of their last ten matches.

A key figurehead for their success is the red-hot form of striker Radovan Pavicevic.

Newcastle Jets Youth coach James Pascoe said that he is rather content with the way Pavicevic is performing, describing him as ‘very consistent’.

‘He’s a handful for other teams’ defence,’ he said.

‘His agility and movement is excellent and he has really kicked on well and taken his game to another level this season’.

Broadmeadow Magic enter the clash with some decent form of their own following Quarter and Semi Final 5-1 drubbings of Lismore and Boambee respectively last weekend in the State Cup at Coffs Harbour.

The weekend’s events saw Peter Haynes score three, Hakan Canli also scored three, Matt Hoole two and produced a man of the match performance in the Semi Final, and Josh Piddington and Rhys Tippet scored a goal each.

The side welcomed back Haynes and Chris Berlin to the starting line up, however were without Luke Virgili, Alex Kantarovski, Ben Higgins and Murray Fletcher.

Coach Glen Chapman suggested that the side would be taking the matches seriously, and that the club intended to progress through to the final. They successfully achieved this, however it will be back to business this weekend as they look to bounce back from a Round 11 loss to Weston.

Last time the sides met Newcastle Jets Youth defeated Broadmeadow 1-0. A Brandon Lundy strike separated the sides that day.

This match promises to be an end-to-end, attacking affair between two of the competitions most clinical teams. The side that is the most switched on defensively will be the side that picks up the three points.

 

Charlestown City Blues FC vs. Edgeworth FC
Lisle Carr Oval
Sunday 29th June 2.45pm
#CCBvEFC

Charlestown City Blues welcome Edgeworth to Lisle Carr Oval in the second of four Sunday afternoon matches in Round 12.

After a 1-0 win against Lambton last night Charlestown jump to fifth following five wins, two draws and four losses.

Their opponents this weekend, Edgeworth, are currently second. They are four points off the first placed Jets after an outstanding start to the season that has consisted of five wins four draws and two losses.

Charlestown defeated Hamilton 1-0 in Round 11, and used that momentum to upset the Jaffas last night. Six points in two games has seen them leap up the table into fifth.

Edgeworth will be looking to restart their push to become premiers after a solid start has been hindered as of late, with two losses in three matches. A come-from-behind 2-1 win over South Cardiff separated a 1-0 loss to Adamstown, and a 5-1 mauling at the hands of the Jets Youth.

This weekend is the perfect chance for them to return to winning ways.

The last time the side’s met Hector Mendez and Bren Hammel each scored doubles as the Eagles demolished Charlestown at Jack McLaughlan Oval.

Charlestown will be determined to ensure this is not the case again however, as they look to use the home ground advantage to turn the tables on Edgeworth, and subsequently maintain their spot in the competition’s top five.

 

Weston Workers FC vs. Lambton Jaffas FC
Rockwell Automation Park
Sunday 29th June 2.45pm
#WWBvJAF

Weston host Lambton in the third Sunday tie in the twelfth round of the National Premier League.

Both sides are coming off well-earned breaks following inspiring Round 11 wins.

Weston soared into third with a comeback 2-1 win against Magic at Rockwell Automation Park two Sunday’s ago.

The day before fourth placed Lambton comprehensively defeated Lake Macquarie 5-2 at Edden Oval.

The win was Weston’s fifth of the season. Combined with a trio of draws and losses the side sits comfortably on eighteen points.

Lambton squandered the chance to overtake both the Bears and Edgeworth last night after a 1-0 loss to Charlestown.

Weston will be aware that a win this weekend would take them to at least back into third, with the possibility of finishing in second wide open. 

Lambton will be determined to pick up the three points, and move ahead of Weston into third, possibly second also, in the process.

This will install both sides with huge levels of motivation to pick up the three points, a recipe for an extremely competitive match between two of the competition’s form sides.

 

South Cardiff FC vs. Adamstown Rosebud FC
Ulinga Oval
Sunday 29th June 2.45pm
#SCGvBUD 

In the final match of Round 12 South Cardiff Gunners welcome Adamstown Rosebud to Ulinga Oval.

The sides sit eighth and ninth respectively. South Cardiff are three points ahead of Adamstown, on thirteen, after four wins, a draw, and six losses.

Three wins, a draw and seven losses make up Adamstown’s ten points.

South Cardiff enters the round on a massive high after a 2-1 defeat of Hamilton Olympic two Tuesdays ago followed by a successful weekend in Coffs Harbour in the State Cup.

South Cardiff trailed Olympic 1-0 in their rescheduled Round 10 clash, however a goal to Dean Kelley before the half time break, and a Jamie Byrnes header secured the three points for the Gunners.

They then defeated last year’s State Cup winners Urunga 5-1 on Saturday, then Cooks Hill 3-1 on Sunday. Mitch Wallace was the star of the weekend, scoring three of the Gunners’ eight goals. Sean Clerke, Jarryd Johnson, Jamie Byrnes, Matt Whilesmith and Dean Kelley all recorded a goal each.

Adamstown will be desperate to find the back of the net this weekend, having scored just one goal in their last five outings. That goal came back in Round 9 where they inflicted Edgeworth’s first defeat of the season.

Added incentive for the Rosebud for this weekend’s match is going level with the Gunners on thirteen points. It could also put them just a win away from the top five if results go their way.

Last time the side’s met Adamstown scored a dramatic, final minute winner to defeat the Gunners at Adamstown Oval.

This weekend’s match is more then just eighth versus ninth. It is a battle between two sides that can both play quality football, who are looking to both overtake and close the gap on the teams above them.