Sunday, March 18, 2.30 pm

Turner Park

For the second consecutive year, Cessnock will host their local rivals in their season opener at Turner Park.

Both teams have new coaches for the season and both have very different squad rosters, making this local derby an intriguing affair.

Last year when these sides met in round one, the Redbacks came out big 5-1 winners over the Hornets, but new Cessnock coach Brendan Slade is certain his fresh side will be much better than 2017 one.

“We’re really confident actually,” Slade said.

“If we can keep our goals conceded down, we’re going to go okay.”

Slade also identified the new Thornton man up front, Jye McKellar, as a key man his side will need to contain.

“He’s a real goal-scorer. Every time I coached against him in the NPL he scored two or three so he’s going to be their main threat.”

“He’s going to worry me a little bit.”

Thornton also has a new coach in Gary Wand and with his appointment comes a new looking side featuring a lot of NPL-experienced players.

After the Redbacks being unceremoniously knocked out in the semifinals against Cooks Hill in 2017, Wand isn’t setting his sights on any targets, instead, he is making sure his side focuses on each week as it comes and this weekend he’s expecting a colossal contest.

“I would have preferred to play them in the fourth or fifth game at home, not the first one,” Wand joked.

“I’m expecting a real tough game. I’m well and truly expecting a big battle.”

“They’ve got some decent players there and a lot of young guys and they're going be very fired up for us.”

“There’ll be a little bit of a Weston v Weston scenario out there. A lot of the guys in both teams know each other.”