Everything is in our hands': Crunch time approaches as five clubs fight for NPL survival

Crunch time approaches as five clubs fight for NPL survival, with veteran coach Lee Sterrey saying Valentine must avoid relegation to keep their progress on track. Valentine are 10th in the Northern NSW NPL with 16 points, separated by just four points from Newcastle Olympic (18) down to Charlestown Azzurri (14) in the race at the bottom. Valentine host Kahibah in a “virtual six-pointer” at Croudace Bay on Sunday at 1pm, before matches against Adamstown, Azzurri, Olympic, and Weston. Sterrey said additional signings in the transfer window, Joe Melmeth and Ethan Vilder, have made a “big difference,” and that another four points could be enough with five games remaining. Kahibah, in their maiden top-flight season, are desperate after conceding five times in the last 10 minutes this season; they lost 2-1 to Edgeworth after conceding in the 92nd minute. Valentine’s recent results include a 2-1 win over Edgeworth and a draw with Lambton Jaffas before a 3-1 loss to Cooks Hill.