Charlestown coach Niko Papaspiropoulos is not looking too far ahead but acknowledged two games in the next four days could prove pivotal to their finals hopes.
Sixth-placed Azzurri moved to 18 points and within striking distance of the Newcastle Herald Women's Premier League top four with an important 4-0 win over seventh-placed Mid Coast (4) in Taree on Sunday.
They can improve their position further with another win on Wednesday night when they meet last-placed New Lambton (0) in a rescheduled round-14 match at Alder Park.
Victory over the Eagles would take them ahead of fifth-placed Warners Bay (19) and put them onto level terms with fourth-placed Maitland, who they face at Lisle Carr Oval on Saturday.
"It was a good result in Taree and good to get a clean sheet as well," Papaspiropolous said.
"It's very tight. We've just got to take it one game at a time and keep working hard to keep improving bit by bit.
"It will obviously be a quick turnaround to Maitland on Saturday and we've just got to push through and show mental strength this week to get the points."
Papaspiropoulos welcomed the return of experienced player Lori Depczynski against Mid Coast as well as young gun Bella Ramzan-Levy. Depczynski had been out since round 10 with an ankle injury and Ramzan-Levy for three weeks due to concussion.
Meanwhile, New Lambton have reportedly parted ways with former W-League striker Adriana Jones.
The game on Wednesday night is at 8pm.
