The match set down for Saturday has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 24, with first grade, reserves and under-18s fixtures all on the same day.

Bears president Rod Henderson said the rescheduling of the game was unfortunate, but there was no choice give the extension of the Covid lockdown on the Central Coast where several Bears players are based.

Henderson said moving all three fixtures to the NPL free weekend on July 24 was the best option and would ensure that the match will have all the atmosphere the El Clasicoal derby has built up over recent years.

The Bears were also forced to postpone last Saturday's match against Broadmeadow, but a date has yet to be set for it to be played.

A Covid lockdown extension looms over Saturday's much awaited second leg of the El Clasicoal derby between the Weston Bears and Maitland Magpies.

The Weston Bears, who won the first leg of the derby 1-0, are anxiously awaiting the call on whether the Covid lockdown affecting the Central Coast will be lifted or extended.

With several players in their first grade team living on the Central Coast the Bears would be forced to cancel a home fixture for the second week in a row.

The Bears had to call off last week's round 13 game against Broadmeadow Magic and were hoping the planned lifting of the Central Coast lockdown on Friday night would clear the way to host the Magpies the following day.

A date has not been set yet for the rescheduled Broadmeadow game although there is a free weekend on July 23-24.

A second postponed fixture would mean a mid-week catch up game, with just four rounds to be played.

The Bears sit sixth on the ladder on 15 points. one point behind Newcastle Olympic in fifth.

Maitland accounted for Charlestown Azzurri 4-2 on the weekend to take their winning run to three games.

The Magpies are third on the ladder equal on 28 points with Lambton Jaffas who have a superior goal difference and a game in hand. Broadmeadow Magic is on top of the table with 29 points.