The Newcastle Jets youth team will look to continue their unbeaten start to the NBN State League competition on Sunday.
The Newcastle Jets youth team will look to continue their unbeaten start to the NBN State League competition when they take on Hamilton Olympic at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.
The young Jets have four wins from as many matches during their inaugural season in the competition and have scored 12 goals for while only conceding three against.
After opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Valentine FC in round one, the Jets have also notched wins over South Cardiff (3-2), West Wallsend (5-0) and Lake Macquarie (3-1).
Youth team coach Arthur Papas said that while the winning streak was pleasing, maintaining it was not the be all and end all.
“To be honest our focus hasn-t really been on results, we-re more focused on the way we play and developing the players as individuals and as a collective unit,” Papas said.
“But to have four wins from four is obviously a positive. It makes it easier when you-re winning because the players believe in what you-re teaching them.”
Papas praised the mental toughness and resilience of the youth players to maintain their form while the future of the Newcastle Jets was still uncertain.
“We tried to look at it as a positive experience for the players because during their career as a footballer they-ll face different types of adversity, whether it be a coaching change or other things like that,” Papas explained.
“Mentally all the boys have taken the right approach by only worrying about what they can control and that is what they do on the field.
“Thankfully it has worked out the way it has with HSG coming back on board.”
Papas said he was expecting a difficult test against a Hamilton side that is sure to be full of confidence after a 5-2 win over West Wallsend last weekend.
“I think it will be a tougher game than what we-ve had so far,” he said.
“Hamilton is an experienced team who I think will be right up there at the end of the season.
“It will be a different challenge, on a different ground against a different formation which is exactly what these young boys need.”
Match Details:
NBN Northern NSW State League
Newcastle Jets v Hamilton Olympic
At Darling Street Oval, Hamilton
Sunday, May 6
Kick-off 2:30pm
