Valentine FC 0-0 New Lambton FC
This week’s Match of the Round finished all square after Valentine FC and New Lambton FC settled for a 0-0 draw at Hunter Sports Centre in Glendale.
Valentine were hoping to finish their run of 10 consecutive matches at their makeshift 2023 home ground in style but were unable to put any of their chances away despite creating plenty.
New Lambton created a few chances of their own but just like Eagles goalkeeper Alex Bozinovski, Valentine shot-stopper Lewis Alvarez let nothing past.
Bozinovski was put to the test when Valentine’s Riley Aunger found himself running onto a pass unmarked in the box following a well-worked short corner routine in the third minute, but his shot that was bound for the bottom right corner was saved by the Eagles’ number one.
The visitors created their best chance in the 21st minute when Riley Taylor won possession with a brilliant tackle and found teammate Dominic Smith who had bombed forward with an overlapping run, but Smith’s strike was kept out by Alvarez who made the save with his feet.
Valentine had another great opportunity just before the break when Tom Parkes put Thomas Duggan in behind with a brilliant volleyed pass, but New Lambton’s Kent Harrison made a crucial sliding tackle to deny Duggan a chance to shoot.
Another Parkes volley troubled New Lambton in the second half, but his 54th-minute strike from just outside the 18-yard box flew inches over the crossbar.
Valentine should have gone ahead in the 68th minute when a classy play that included five one-touch passes cut New Lambton apart through the middle and released Nicholas Martinelli, only for the striker to blaze his chance over the crossbar.
The Eagles had the final significant chance when Taylor made a charging run down the left edge and got a powerful shot away, but Alvarez was up to the challenge again to keep the shot out.
Valentine player-coach Adam Hughes was disappointed with the final result and thought it was two points lost for his side in what he described as a must-win game.
“We did ok. We just didn’t have our shooting boots on,” Hughes said.
“We should have taken one or two chances. I think we had enough moments in the game to win the game, but unfortunately, we didn’t take those opportunities.
“It’s definitely two points lost. It’s frustrating and difficult to take too many positives away from the game.”
But Hughes was proud of the way his side shut New Lambton down in the middle third when the Eagles were trying to play out and he was also pleased with his side’s overall second half performance.
New Lambton coach Tom Davies described his side’s performance as an improved one.
Davies was pleased that his men kept a clean sheet for the second time this season and after they had conceded 19 goals in five games going into the Match of the Round.
“Compared to recent games, our overall performance was much better,” Davies said.
“Our intensity and the way we approached the game was definitely positive.
“I think we had some of the better chances of the first half, and the second half was mostly even, although they had some chances that they’d be disappointed with, so I think a draw is a fair result. We wanted three points but we’ll take the positives from the game into next weekend.”
Both teams finished the weekend in the positions that they entered in, with Valentine remaining in eighth and New Lambton still 11th.
They both play away this Sunday when Valentine travels to Weston and New Lambton heads out to Edgeworth.
Adamstown Rosebud FC 0-1 Charlestown Azzurri FC
Charlestown Azzurri FC have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table after winning 1-0 against Adamstown Rosebud FC on Saturday.
Azzurri scored the only goal of the contest in the 15th minute when Dean Pettit netted a tap in from a metre out after running onto a perfect Miguel Hernandez cross.
Charlestown had won possession less than 20 seconds earlier after Taylor Regan produced a brilliant intercept, and then Hernandez received a pass out on the left edge just inside his own half. He drove the ball deep into the Rosebud half and created a window of space for a cross with a classy stepover and made it count as his cross picked out Pettit, who made no mistake.
Neither side could add to the scoreline as James Pascoe’s men secured a 1-0 lead to move to 37 points at the top of the table, six clear of Weston Workers FC.
It was only a temporary six-point buffer until Sunday afternoon when it was locked in until at least the next round the Bears were beaten 3-1 at home by Maitland FC.
Adamstown remain in 10th place following the narrow loss.
Azzurri are away again this weekend when they challenge fellow Round 16 winners Cooks Hill United FC at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday, while Adamstown are at home again when they host Newcastle Olympic FC that same day.
Match of the Round Valentine FC 0-0 New Lambton FC This week’s Match of the Round finished all square after Valentine FC and New Lambton FC settled for a 0-0 draw at Hunter Sports Centre in Glendale. Valentine were hoping to finish their run of 10 consecutive matches at their makeshift 2023 home ground in style but were unable to put any of their chances away despite creating plenty. New Lambton created a few chances of their own but just like Eagles goalkeeper Alex Bozinovski, Valentine shot-stopper Lewis Alvarez let nothing past. Bozinovski was put to the test when Valentine’s Riley Aunger found himself running onto a pass unmarked in the box following a well-worked short corner routine in the third minute, but his shot that was bound for the bottom right corner was saved by the Eagles’ number one. The visitors created their best chance in the 21st minute when Riley Taylor won possession with a brilliant tackle and found teammate Dominic Smith who had bombed forward with an overlapping run, but Smith’s strike was kept out by Alvarez who made the save with his feet. Valentine had another great opportunity just before the break when Tom Parkes put Thomas Duggan in behind with a brilliant volleyed pass, but New Lambton’s Kent Harrison made a crucial sliding tackle to deny Duggan a chance to shoot. Another Parkes volley troubled New Lambton in the second half, but his 54th-minute strike from just outside the 18-yard box flew inches over the crossbar. Valentine should have gone ahead in the 68th minute when a classy play that included five one-touch passes cut New Lambton apart through the middle and released Nicholas Martinelli, only for the striker to blaze his chance over the crossbar. The Eagles had the final significant chance when Taylor made a charging run down the left edge and got a powerful shot away, but Alvarez was up to the challenge again to keep the shot out. Valentine player-coach Adam Hughes was disappointed with the final result and thought it was two points lost for his side in what he described as a must-win game. “We did ok. We just didn’t have our shooting boots on,” Hughes said. “We should have taken one or two chances. I think we had enough moments in the game to win the game, but unfortunately, we didn’t take those opportunities. “It’s definitely two points lost. It’s frustrating and difficult to take too many positives away from the game.” But Hughes was proud of the way his side shut New Lambton down in the middle third when the Eagles were trying to play out and he was also pleased with his side’s overall second half performance. New Lambton coach Tom Davies described his side’s performance as an improved one. Davies was pleased that his men kept a clean sheet for the second time this season and after they had conceded 19 goals in five games going into the Match of the Round. “Compared to recent games, our overall performance was much better,” Davies said. “Our intensity and the way we approached the game was definitely positive. “I think we had some of the better chances of the first half, and the second half was mostly even, although they had some chances that they’d be disappointed with, so I think a draw is a fair result. We wanted three points but we’ll take the positives from the game into next weekend.” Both teams finished the weekend in the positions that they entered in, with Valentine remaining in eighth and New Lambton still 11th. They both play away this Sunday when Valentine travels to Weston and New Lambton heads out to Edgeworth. Adamstown Rosebud FC 0-1 Charlestown Azzurri FC Charlestown Azzurri FC have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table after winning 1-0 against Adamstown Rosebud FC on Saturday. Azzurri scored the only goal of the contest in the 15th minute when Dean Pettit netted a tap in from a metre out after running onto a perfect Miguel Hernandez cross. Charlestown had won possession less than 20 seconds earlier after Taylor Regan produced a brilliant intercept, and then Hernandez received a pass out on the left edge just inside his own half. He drove the ball deep into the Rosebud half and created a window of space for a cross with a classy stepover and made it count as his cross picked out Pettit, who made no mistake. Neither side could add to the scoreline as James Pascoe’s men secured a 1-0 lead to move to 37 points at the top of the table, six clear of Weston Workers FC. It was only a temporary six-point buffer until Sunday afternoon when it was locked in until at least the next round the Bears were beaten 3-1 at home by Maitland FC. Adamstown remain in 10th place following the narrow loss. Azzurri are away again this weekend when they challenge fellow Round 16 winners Cooks Hill United FC at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday, while Adamstown are at home again when they host Newcastle Olympic FC that same day. Newcastle Olympic FC 0-2 Cooks Hill United FC Cooks Hill United FC’s finals hopes may be slim to none but on Saturday they proved they’re going to go down fighting and defeating Newcastle Olympic FC 2-0 away at Darling Street Oval. Neither side was able to open the scoring in the first 45 minutes as they went into half-time at 0-0. While Olympic’s struggles to get shots on target continued in the second half, Cooks Hill were able to find the back of the net twice. The visitors opened their account the 47th minute when a Liam Spurway free kick deflected off Brock Beveridge and the change of direction caught out Olympic goalkeeper Adam Pearce as the ball bounce into the bottom right corner. Olympic were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men after Dylan Burston saw red after receiving two yellow cards in the 49th minute. Cooks Hill doubled their lead at the 80-minute mark when Beveridge turned provider after getting in behind the Olympic defence down the right edge and cutting the ball back to Carter Smith, who scored from inside the six-yard box. That was the final goal of the game as Cooks Hill United secured the three points with a 2-0 win. Cooks Hill still sits ninth on the table and are 12 points outside the top five with a game in hand. Olympic remains seventh and are now four points outside the top five. Both sides play on Saturday this weekend when Cooks Hill United host league-leaders Charlestown Azzurri FC and Olympic play away from home against Adamstown Rosebud FC. Weston Workers FC 1-3 Maitland FC Maitland FC were victorious at Rockwell Automation Park in Sunday’s Coalfields derby defeating Weston Workers 3-1. Neither side was able to open the scoring in the first half, heading into the sheds 0-0 at half-time. But the Magpies were able to capitalise first in the 49th minute as strike partners Braedyn Crowley and James Thompson combined just days after it was announced they had re-signed for the club for the 2024 campaign. A rather innocuous long ball upfield from Magpies goalkeeper Taylor Pate somehow made its way through the middle third untouched and found Thompson, who allowed the ball to roll in front of him down the right edge before passing inside to Crowley in the box. The competition’s leading goal-scorer made no mistake as he took a touch to set himself and then fired the ball past Gerard Roebuck. The visitors doubled their lead four minutes later when a Crowley cross was spilled by Roebuck into the path of Magpies midfielder Flynn Goodman, who made no mistake from close range. Weston threatened moments later when their hat-trick hero from the previous week Aaron Nioyonkuru found space on the edge of the area and fired a powerful strike, but his shot was saved by a diving Taylor Pate. There was nothing Pate could do in the 69th minute when Weston pulled a goal back as Cooper Buswell smashed home a volley from just outside the six-yard box. Weston pushed hard for an equaliser but Crowley and Maitland had the final say as the striker scored his second of the game in the 84th minute when he blasted a shot from just inside the 18-yard box across the keeper and into the bottom left corner to make the score 3-1. Maitland coach Mick Bolch was happy with the way his men bounced back from a performance that he labelled as one of their worst of their year as they went down 3-0 against Broadmeadow Magic in the Australia Cup during the week. Maitland have won their past seven in a row in the NPL NNSW competition and are third on the ladder. Weston remains second but are now just a point ahead of Maitland and Broadmeadow and two ahead of Edgeworth and Lambton. The Magpies are away against Broadmeadow Magic FC this Sunday while the Bears host Valentine FC. Lambton Jaffas FC 1-0 Broadmeadow Magic FC Lambton Jaffas scored a crucial win at Arthur Edden Oval on Sunday as they edged out Broadmeadow Magic 1-0 in a dominant defensive display. The home side left it late as Kale Bradbery struck in the 82nd minute to help his team secure the three points. A brilliant Pat Bond tackle won possession for the Jaffas in attacking territory and he found Ben Hay with a volleyed pass, who controlled the ball with a classy touch and then threaded a pass into the path of Bradbery. The clinical Jaffas striker guided a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner against his old club, which was the difference as Magic were unable to equalise in the final 10 minutes. Jaffas coach Dave Tanchevski had challenged his men during the week to get the job done if they had a late lead after they had conceded injury time equalisers in back-to-back games against Edgeworth. Tachevski felt they were in control defensively from start to finish as they kept a clean sheet during Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s debut. “I was really happy with the performance,” Tachevski said. “We probably could’ve taken another one or two chances to be honest. We had a couple of good chances during the game, especially in the first half. “I don’t know if Magic had a shot on goal all game. They did have one that went just over the top right-hand corner, but I don’t think they got one on target. I’m really happy, I’d describe it as a professional 1-0 performance. “We had Topor play, he made his debut. With him and Josh Piddington there, we have plenty of experience at the back.” The Jaffas remain sixth at the end of the weekend but now trail second-placed Weston Workers FC by three points. Broadmeadow dropped to fourth as they were overtaken by Maitland FC, but they remain just a point behind Weston. Both sides are at home next weekend as Lambton host Lake Macquarie City on Saturday and then Magic welcome Maitland to Magic Park on Sunday. Edgeworth Eagles FC 3-1 Lake Macquarie City FC Edgeworth Eagles got the job done on home soil as they defeated Lake Macquarie City 3-1 at Jack McLaughlan Oval. Edgeworth opened the scoring in the ninth minute thanks to Sascha Montefiore. Jarryd Sutherland won possession with a tackle in his own half and then spotted Montefiore’s run further up the field. The midfielder played a brilliant lofted through ball over the top and into the striker’s path, and the Eagles frontman fired a sensational shot from just outside the 18-yard box that just kept rising as it flew inside the right post and into the back of the net. Edgeworth went into the break with a one-goal advantage but doubled the score 10 minutes into the second half when Dylan Holz netted after a parried Kevin Dagnet shot fell to him inside the six-yard box and he made no mistake. Lake Macquarie City pulled one back to make the score 2-1 in the 80th minute when Tomasz Kowalski put Nicholas Emanuel in behind with a brilliant volleyed through ball and he calmly slotted a chipped volley over Ben Conway. But any hopes of a Lake Macquarie comeback were shattered in the 87th minute when Edgeworth’s unmarked Josh Rose controlled a Montefiore cross in the box and calmly slotted a shot inside the left post to secure the three points. The Eagles remain fifth following the victory but are now just three points behind second-placed Weston Workers FC. Lake Macquarie stay at the foot of the table on four points. Edgeworth will play at home again this weekend when they host New Lambton FC on Sunday after the Roosters travel to Arthur Edden Oval to meet the Jaffas on Saturday.
Newcastle Olympic FC 0-2 Cooks Hill United FC
Cooks Hill United FC’s finals hopes may be slim to none but on Saturday they proved they’re going to go down fighting and defeating Newcastle Olympic FC 2-0 away at Darling Street Oval.
Neither side was able to open the scoring in the first 45 minutes as they went into half-time at 0-0.
While Olympic’s struggles to get shots on target continued in the second half, Cooks Hill were able to find the back of the net twice.
The visitors opened their account the 47th minute when a Liam Spurway free kick deflected off Brock Beveridge and the change of direction caught out Olympic goalkeeper Adam Pearce as the ball bounce into the bottom right corner.
Olympic were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men after Dylan Burston saw red after receiving two yellow cards in the 49th minute.
Cooks Hill doubled their lead at the 80-minute mark when Beveridge turned provider after getting in behind the Olympic defence down the right edge and cutting the ball back to Carter Smith, who scored from inside the six-yard box.
That was the final goal of the game as Cooks Hill United secured the three points with a 2-0 win.
Cooks Hill still sits ninth on the table and are 12 points outside the top five with a game in hand.
Olympic remains seventh and are now four points outside the top five.
Both sides play on Saturday this weekend when Cooks Hill United host league-leaders Charlestown Azzurri FC and Olympic play away from home against Adamstown Rosebud FC.
Weston Workers FC 1-3 Maitland FC
Maitland FC were victorious at Rockwell Automation Park in Sunday’s Coalfields derby defeating Weston Workers 3-1.
Neither side was able to open the scoring in the first half, heading into the sheds 0-0 at half-time.
But the Magpies were able to capitalise first in the 49th minute as strike partners Braedyn Crowley and James Thompson combined just days after it was announced they had re-signed for the club for the 2024 campaign.
A rather innocuous long ball upfield from Magpies goalkeeper Taylor Pate somehow made its way through the middle third untouched and found Thompson, who allowed the ball to roll in front of him down the right edge before passing inside to Crowley in the box. The competition’s leading goal-scorer made no mistake as he took a touch to set himself and then fired the ball past Gerard Roebuck.
The visitors doubled their lead four minutes later when a Crowley cross was spilled by Roebuck into the path of Magpies midfielder Flynn Goodman, who made no mistake from close range.
Weston threatened moments later when their hat-trick hero from the previous week Aaron Nioyonkuru found space on the edge of the area and fired a powerful strike, but his shot was saved by a diving Taylor Pate.
There was nothing Pate could do in the 69th minute when Weston pulled a goal back as Cooper Buswell smashed home a volley from just outside the six-yard box.
Weston pushed hard for an equaliser but Crowley and Maitland had the final say as the striker scored his second of the game in the 84th minute when he blasted a shot from just inside the 18-yard box across the keeper and into the bottom left corner to make the score 3-1.
Maitland coach Mick Bolch was happy with the way his men bounced back from a performance that he labelled as one of their worst of their year as they went down 3-0 against Broadmeadow Magic in the Australia Cup during the week.
Maitland have won their past seven in a row in the NPL NNSW competition and are third on the ladder.
Weston remains second but are now just a point ahead of Maitland and Broadmeadow and two ahead of Edgeworth and Lambton.
The Magpies are away against Broadmeadow Magic FC this Sunday while the Bears host Valentine FC.
Lambton Jaffas FC 1-0 Broadmeadow Magic FC
Lambton Jaffas scored a crucial win at Arthur Edden Oval on Sunday as they edged out Broadmeadow Magic 1-0 in a dominant defensive display.
The home side left it late as Kale Bradbery struck in the 82nd minute to help his team secure the three points. A brilliant Pat Bond tackle won possession for the Jaffas in attacking territory and he found Ben Hay with a volleyed pass, who controlled the ball with a classy touch and then threaded a pass into the path of Bradbery. The clinical Jaffas striker guided a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner against his old club, which was the difference as Magic were unable to equalise in the final 10 minutes.
Jaffas coach Dave Tanchevski had challenged his men during the week to get the job done if they had a late lead after they had conceded injury time equalisers in back-to-back games against Edgeworth. Tachevski felt they were in control defensively from start to finish as they kept a clean sheet during Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s debut.
“I was really happy with the performance,” Tachevski said.
“We probably could’ve taken another one or two chances to be honest. We had a couple of good chances during the game, especially in the first half.
“I don’t know if Magic had a shot on goal all game. They did have one that went just over the top right-hand corner, but I don’t think they got one on target. I’m really happy, I’d describe it as a professional 1-0 performance.
“We had Topor play, he made his debut. With him and Josh Piddington there, we have plenty of experience at the back.”
The Jaffas remain sixth at the end of the weekend but now trail second-placed Weston Workers FC by three points.
Broadmeadow dropped to fourth as they were overtaken by Maitland FC, but they remain just a point behind Weston.
Both sides are at home next weekend as Lambton host Lake Macquarie City on Saturday and then Magic welcome Maitland to Magic Park on Sunday.
Edgeworth Eagles FC 3-1 Lake Macquarie City FC
Edgeworth Eagles got the job done on home soil as they defeated Lake Macquarie City 3-1 at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
Edgeworth opened the scoring in the ninth minute thanks to Sascha Montefiore. Jarryd Sutherland won possession with a tackle in his own half and then spotted Montefiore’s run further up the field. The midfielder played a brilliant lofted through ball over the top and into the striker’s path, and the Eagles frontman fired a sensational shot from just outside the 18-yard box that just kept rising as it flew inside the right post and into the back of the net.
Edgeworth went into the break with a one-goal advantage but doubled the score 10 minutes into the second half when Dylan Holz netted after a parried Kevin Dagnet shot fell to him inside the six-yard box and he made no mistake.
Lake Macquarie City pulled one back to make the score 2-1 in the 80th minute when Tomasz Kowalski put Nicholas Emanuel in behind with a brilliant volleyed through ball and he calmly slotted a chipped volley over Ben Conway.
But any hopes of a Lake Macquarie comeback were shattered in the 87th minute when Edgeworth’s unmarked Josh Rose controlled a Montefiore cross in the box and calmly slotted a shot inside the left post to secure the three points.
The Eagles remain fifth following the victory but are now just three points behind second-placed Weston Workers FC.
Lake Macquarie stay at the foot of the table on four points.
Edgeworth will play at home again this weekend when they host New Lambton FC on Sunday after the Roosters travel to Arthur Edden Oval to meet the Jaffas on Saturday.