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The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend
Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there."
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Coach releived for league to be back up and running after 'mini preseason'
CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm).
