The equation for the Thornton Redbacks is simple – keep winning and they will make the finals.
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Thornton is in fourth place on the Northern NSW First Division table with three rounds remaining.
The Redbacks have grinded out important results against Toronto Awaba (0-0) and Belmont Swansea (0-0) in the past two weeks and a win against Singleton at Howe Park on Sunday would be a huge boost to their finals aspirations.
Coach Darrel McAllister, who is in his second year at the club, said making the finals would be a great achievement.
“It would be massive for the club,” he said.
“We brought a couple of players to the club and our aim was to try and make it as quick as we could.
“There’s no 10-year plan here or anything like that, it was something we wanted to happen pretty quickly.”
McAllister knows his team can’t afford to slip up against the Strikers.
“It’s a pretty tough game for us, this one,” he said.
“There pressure is on us, we don’t want to make it tough for ourselves.
“Another win or two will probably get us there and it is important to win this one and give ourselves a buffer.”
Elsewhere, Maitland travels to Johnston Park on Saturday to take on West Wallsend.
After downing fellow promotion hopefuls Valentine 2-0 last weekend the Magpies have the 2015 National Premier League firmly in their sights.
Wins in their final three games will guarantee Maitland a place in the top flight of Northern NSW football for the first time since 2002.
Maitland have accounted for the Bluebells comfortably in rounds four (8-0) and 11 (8-1) and should continue their march toward promotion with another three points.
In the other round 19 games in the first division on Saturday, Cessnock City host Belmont Swansea while Toronto Awaba travels to Cahill Oval to take on Valentine.