NORTHERN NSW National Premier League rivals Broadmeadow Magic and Newcastle Olympic will both host A-League opponents in the FFA Cup round of 32.
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Magic have been pitted against Western Sydney Wanderers and Olympic meet Macarthur following Thursday night's national draw.
Newcastle Jets, who need to overcome fellow A-League side Western United to qualify, would take on Wellington Phoenix if they progress to the same stage of the annual knockout tournament.
The Jets are due to visit Western United on the weekend of August 7-8.
Fixture details have yet to be confirmed for Magic and Olympic but games are expected to take place next month, towards the end of the regular NPL season and the start of the 2021 finals series.
Broadmeadow coach Damian Zane, eyeing his fifth round of 32 appearance in the FFA Cup after four cracks with former club Edgeworth, said Magic were capable of causing an upset.
"They're always good nights," Zane told the Newcastle Herald on Friday.
You go in as underdogs, but nothing is impossible.
- DAMIAN ZANE
"You go in as underdogs, but nothing is impossible.
"When I was at Edgeworth with Melbourne City we went close.
"There's no reason you can't get the right night. Have a good night yourself and hopefully they're a touch off being in pre-season.
"I think the round of 32 is when you can catch the A-League teams slightly less into their preparations."
Broadmeadow, who lead the NPL ladder after 13 rounds, last qualified for the round of 32 in 2018 after prior showings in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Olympic are on debut and coach Joel Griffiths said the club was looking forward to the experience of playing A-League newcomers Macarthur.
"Drawing against an A-League club makes for a huge game but it will be an experience for the whole club, especially being the first time in the round of 32," Griffiths said.
"It will be about enjoying the moment and challenging yourself against some of the best in Australia."
On the local front this weekend, Magic were scheduled to host Valentine at Magic Park on Sunday but that fixture has now been postponed.
The clash between Coalfields rivals Weston and Maitland was also deferred earlier this week.
Both encounters had players impacted by the state's COVID-19 restrictions and will likely be moved to July 24-25.
Saturday sees second-placed Lambton at home to Adamstown at Arthur Edden Oval (2:30pm) while Olympic visit Lakes at Macquarie Field (5pm).
Fourth-placed Edgeworth welcome Azzurri to Jack McLaughlin Oval on Sunday (2:30pm).
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
