The Weston Bears have had an impressive start to the National Premier League season but new coach Steve Piggot says that will count for nothing on Friday afternoon.
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Weston travel to Arthur Edden Oval for a Good Friday clash with 2013 grand finalists Lambton Jaffas on the back of a win against Lake Macquarie and a draw with title favourites Broadmeadow Magic.
The Bears will be without veteran midfielder Nathan Morris, who has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a thigh strain, and 17-year-old Jye McKellar.
McKellar has a groin problem and has not trained this week with Piggot likely to rest the youngster, although Jamie Subat is likely to play despite coming off with an abductor injury against Magic.
Piggot said despite the good start to the campaign there was still much for his team to improve on.
“The first two weeks won’t count for much, we need to improve on the things we didn’t do so well last week,” he said.
“Our finishing let us down, we didn’t take our chances and people who were at the game or saw the highlights on tv will know we missed some glaring chances to put Broadmeadow away.”
Piggot, who took over at Weston this season after leaving South Cardiff, said he is happy with the way his squad has adapted to his style of coaching.
“I’m more than happy with the way we’ve started,” he said.
“We’ve been successful so far and when a new coach comes in there is always a bit of a transition period.
“But I couldn’t be happier with the players attitude and commitment so far.”
Kiwi midfielder Garry McDermott will return to the starting 11 for the Bears, while youngsters Thomas Sparre and Jake Millsteed are also in the frame to start.
Kick off is at 3.30pm.
In other NPL games this weekend, Edgeworth host Charlestown City on Friday night, Broadmeadow face Newcastle Jets Youth on Saturday, while Adamstown Rosebud play South Cardiff and Hamilton Olympic take on Lake Macquarie City on Monday.