NPL: Magic turning up the heat on Azzurri

FIT AND FIRING: Broadmeadow midfielder Cody Carroll on the run against Azzurri in their 3-1 victory in round two this year at Magic Park. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Broadmeadow are welcoming a test of fitness in predicted warm conditions on Sunday, while Charlestown are keeping one eye on results on Saturday in preparations for their crunch clash at Lisle Carr Oval.

Charlestown Azzurri host Magic in the penultimate round of the Northern NSW NPL with both sides chasing points for different reasons.

Azzurri, sixth on 17 points, need at least one win from their remaining two games to make the top-five play-offs, while second-placed Broadmeadow (25 points) remain a chance of stealing the premiership off Edgeworth (30).

Broadmeadow are safely inside the top five but a loss or draw on Sunday will confirm a record 13^th premiership for Edgeworth, who have the bye.

Lambton Jaffas (18) also have the bye but Maitland (19) and Newcastle Olympic (17) have crucial games in round 13.

Olympic host Adamstown (5) on Saturday from 5pm, while Weston (15) are at home in their final game of the season against last-placed Lake Macquarie (4) from 5.30pm. On Sunday, Maitland (19) can secure their place in the finals in their last game with victory over Valentine (12) at CB Complex.

Charlestown and Olympic, separated by only one goal, both have two games to play, giving them an edge on their top-five rivals.

Azzurri coach Graham Law hoped Adamstown could take points off Olympic on Saturday to help their cause. Weston need to win to stay a mathematical chance of finals.

"The stats prove we're very difficult to break down but I'm glad we're playing Sunday because Saturday's result will let us see a bit clearer what we need," Law said.

"If the results go right for us on Saturday, Sunday could be a free hit for us in that even if we lose to Magic, we could still make it by beating Lakes. If that's the case, we're going to have a right crack at Magic.

"But we are aware of how decent a team they are. We'll set up accordingly but we're probably going to tailor our game plan to how Saturday's results go."

Azzurri will be without skipper Matt Tull (suspended) and Riley Smith (leg injury) for their last two games, but Scott Smith could have his first start of the year on Sunday.

Magic, meanwhile, are fresh from the bye and could welcome back Jon Griffiths and David Ifield from groin injuries.

"It's a fine line for us because we don't want to risk anybody but we still want to be competitive," coach Anthony Richards said.

"We'll probably err on the side of caution with anyone, but whether it's finals or not, the boys still want to beat Charlestown.

"It's supposed to be a 30 degree day on Sunday and our boys are actually looking forward to it because their fitness is really good so they want to test themselves."

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