And Wolves coach Cas Wright will use that devastation to motivate her charges as they aim to be the first side to take down the unbeaten Herald Women's Premier League leaders when they meet again at Walker Fields on Sunday.

Last time they traded blows, South Wallsend led 3-1 until the 80^th minute before being overhauled 4-3. Jets striker Tara Andrews produced an injury-time winner.

"I'll be reminding them of how that felt last time we played New Lambton," Wright said. "We don't want to feel like that again. We need to turn the tables. If we don't beat them now and they don't drop a game, we can't catch them for the premiership."

The top-of-the-table match carries plenty of importance for both sides.

The Eagles lead with 36 points and a win over the second-placed South Wallsend is likely to have a strong bearing on the minor premiership. The Wolves have have 27 points with a game in hand and have not since going down to the Eagles.

The hosts will also be buoyed by fact their teammate Gema Simon is with the Matildas at the Women's World Cup in France.

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"It's not everyday that you have someone playing in a World Cup that plays in your local WPL, so it's a pretty exciting time and the girls will be pumped about that," Wright said.

New Lambton coach Keelan Hamilton was expecting another tough encounter.

"We haven't thought too much about last time we played South Wallsend," Hamilton said. "It won't have any bearing on what will happen this weekend.

"We're just excited to again be able to involved in a clash which is two teams at the top of the table.

"It's definitely an important fixture for both teams. For us it can put us into a really strong position with a positive result and for South Wallsend it's the same thing. They can bring themselves back to only three points behind us if they win their game in hand. When you look at those sort of scenarios it's definitely got some significance to the game."

In another important clash, third-placed Warners Bay are looking to rebound from back-to-back losses against when they host Merewether, fourth, at John Street Oval. Both sides have 24 points and last time they met United won 4-3 when they met in the first round.

Merewether are without midfielder Jane McDonald through unavailability and defender Katy Gray is in doubt with a knee injury sustained at training but will be given until game day to prove her fitness.

Fifth-placed Wallsend, 15 points, will be desperate for victory to stay in touch with the top four when they host Mid North Coast, seventh with six points, at The Gardens.

Sixth-placed Adamstown take on last-placed Thornton at Adamstown Oval in a match set to be livestreamed by BarTV Sports.

All games are Sunday 2.30pm.