Four games in nine days is a challenging draw, but the Maitland Magpies just want to get on with it.
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The Magpies kick off their tough run on Thursday night’s catch-up game against Charlestown – weather permitting.
Magpies football manager Mick Mirisch is hopeful but not confident their long-awaited start to the 2017 NPL season will not be delayed once again.
“Missing the first three rounds, one the bye and two wash-outs, the boys are pretty keen to get on the field,” Mirish said.
“Hopefully the weather is not like they’re predicting, which is showers and rain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with Thursday being the heaviest day,” he said.
“Charlestown’s ground Lisle Carr is not great for water either. That would just top it off, if we can’t play again.”
The Mapgies have not had a competitive game for almost six weeks, with their final two trial matches before the season also washed out.
If Thursday night’s game doesn’t proceed, their first hit out will be at home against Hamilton on Sunday –weather permitting
“We’re at home on Sunday against Hamilton. If we get too much rain our ground could be doubtful for play as well,” Mirisch said.
“We are going to train on it on Tuesday night, but too much more rain could put it in doubt.
“We can’t take a break, our game on the weekend against the Jets could have gone ahead if it was on Sunday rather than Saturday.”
The catch-up game against the Jets is on Wednesday, April 5, at Cook Square, to be followed on Saturday, April 8, the fourth game in nine days, against competition heavyweights Edgeworth under lights at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
”No doubt we had some challenges in pre-season, obviously with coaching, but also with pre-season trials being washed out as well,” Mirisch said.
“Our pre-season was pretty under-done without missing out on those important last two trial games.
“Now we are coming against some powerful teams with Hamilton this week and Edgeworth the following week in addition to the backlog of games.
“It will certainly reveal some character and squad depth no doubt.”
The Magpies will be without skipper Matt Thompson and key players Ben Martin and Ryan Clarke both are under an injury cloud.
“We’re not match-fit, so that’s not an ideal scenario. Training has been difficult because of the wet weather over the past two weeks,” Mirisch said.
“We were reasonably lucky to get on to Maitland No.2 Sportsground and we had a session at Maitland Hockey Centre when we had the first wash-out. We’ve been trying to get sessions in, but there’s nothing like matches to find out where your fitness is.”