Lyall Peacock Field, Toronto​. Sunday, May 1. Kick off: 2.30pm

Thornton Redbacks coach Darrel McAllister was hopeful of getting striker Tallan Martin back from injury to boost his in-form side against Toronto-Awaba at Lyall Peacock Field on Sunday.

Thornton are coming off their best result of the season, a 3-1 win over Kahibah, which followed a 4-1 victory over Singleton.

Both wins were achieved without Martin, striker partner Jamie Subat or senior goalkeeper Mick Hugo.

While Subat and Hugo are unlikely to return against the Stags, Martin is on the verge of a comeback. McAllister said he would make a decision on Martin at training on Friday night.

McAllister was proud of his side's efforts without their key players and hoped their imminent return would keep pushing his side to new heights.

He said they needed to defeat teams lower on the table, like the Stags and Cessnock, who they play in two weeks, if they wanted to feature in the finals. They also meet Cooks Hill, who are ahead of the Redbacks on goal difference in fifth place, in round 10.

"If you want to make semis, you've got to win these next few games coming up," McAllister said.

"You've got to beat those sides who aren't probably going to play semis, but they probably think the same about us. 

"You should win those games, but you know it won't be easy. You've just got to back yourself and I'm hoping we can have a good next three weeks before we have the bye."

McAllister was proud of his side's effort last week but said "the only negative was that we invited a bit of pressure on ourselves by giving the ball away cheaply at times and we need to get better at that.

"The better sides will tear you apart if you keep giving away the ball."

While Thornton are on a high, Toronto Awaba are in a tough period. They dropped to ninth after a 4-0 loss to West Wallsend last week, which followed a 6-0 defeat to Lake Macquarie.

The losses came after an exciting stretch of seven points in three games for the Stags.

Coach Tony Jovcevski has taken the blame for the dip in form, saying his mounting work commitments have limited his input at training. He was weighing up his future in the role while looking for help to guide the team.  

Cessnock City FC v Lake Macquarie City FC

Turner Park,Aberdare. Sunday, May 1. Kick off: 2.30pm

Cessnock City will be on a high after their first win but forced to reshuffle their line-up when they try to take down the competition leaders for a second straight week.

The Hornets upset Belmont Swansea last week 3-2, which allowed their opponents this Sunday at Turner Park, Lake Macquarie, to take over at the top.

The win lifted Cessnock off the bottom of the ladder and onto four points from seven games.

It was just the second time this year Cessnock have been anywhere near full strength.

"The blokes who have come in have done a good job, but it was good to have those players back who understand, know what it's about a bit more and are experienced," Cessnock coach Steve Thomson said.

"It was just a good effort from a team point of view and the song was sung pretty loud afterwards."

Goalkeeper Matt Zechel picked up a yellow card in the win, taking him onto a one-game suspension on accumulation. No.1 shot-stopper Steve Anderson returns from work duties to take over but the Hornets will be without Jayden Gunther (holidays) and Sam Garaty (suspension). Thomson said Josh Bower would replace Gunther, while Liam Stephenson would switch to midfield and Mitch Cox would move up front.

Thomson expected another good performance after strong commitment and enthusiasm at training following the win.

Lake Macquarie went to the top of the table with a gritty 2-1 victory over Cooks Hill last week. The close game came after some big wins for the Roosters and coach Anthony Richards was proud of how they ground out the victory under pressure late.

"Last year that was probably their weakness," Richards said of the defence.

"But the addition of Corey [Fletcher], [Owen] Kemp in goals and Mat Grey, it puts a little bit of experience in there."

Skipper Tom Walker is not expected back from a broken wrist for another four or five weeks, while Sean Matthews came off with 30 minutes to go last week because of a tight hamstring.

Richards expected no changes to his line-up.

Belmont Swansea United FC have a bye.