The Magpies host Lake Macquarie at Cooks Square Park on Friday night (6.30pm) in round 19 of the Northern NSW NPL. They have the biggest game in the club's history five days later when they welcome the Mariners to Maitland Sportsground in the knockout's round of 32.

Maitland are fourth in the NPL on 27 points, two ahead of Charlestown and three clear of Lambton Jaffas. All three have played 14 games.

Coming off a 3-1 loss to leaders Edgeworth (35), the Magpies will be expected to bounce back against the second-last Roosters.

However, Lake Macquarie have scored back-to-back results, drawing with Hamilton 2-2 and beating Adamstown 1-0, in the past fortnight to bring some joy to an otherwise poor campaign.

Roosters coach Nick Webb wanted his side to push Maitland all the way.

"We should have held on and won against Hamilton, then we should have really finished off Adamstown, but we still ground out a clean sheet for the first time," Webb said.

"They all did really well and I'm really looking forward to Maitland. They will obviously be a little bit desperate but they will also have one eye on the FFA Cup, so they've got to try and switch on.

"We'll certainly want to make it a physical contest and we'll see if they are up for that battle considering they have a pretty big game the following week."

"They got a very experienced side so I'm sure they'll stand up, but we're going in there full of confidence, so we'll see how we go Friday."

Lake Macquarie are at full-strength, while Maitland have Mat Swan and Tommy Duggan out.

The Jaffas host the Jets Youth (2.30pm) and Hamilton welcome Adamstown (5pm) on Saturday.

On Sunday, Valentine are away to Charlestown and Weston welcome Broadmeadow.