By Blake Jarrett

Weston Workers FC 4 def. Charlestown City Blues FC 1
Rockwell Automation Park
Sunday 27th July 2.45pm
Match of the Round

The Match of the Round in the sixteenth round of the National Premier League season saw Weston demolish Charlestown at Rockwell Automation Park.

Weston went into the match aware that three points would see them finish the round in second, whereas Charlestown was simply playing to keep themselves inside the top five for another week.

It only took Weston ten minutes to open the scoring, as some Jason Cowburn magic saw him produce a quality flick into the path of Garry McDermott who slotted the ball past Andrew Goldman.

Kane Goodchild nearly equalised two minutes later from a header, however the cross was a little too high and he headed over the bar.

From the resulting goal kick the Bears produced four passes before Connor Evens slipped past Goldman and scored into an empty net to double the home side’s lead.

In a massive blow for the Blues, Goldman was replaced in the thirty-fifth minute by reserve keeper Kyle Predebon due to a leg injury he picked up earlier in the match.

Neither side could add to the score sheet in the second half as Weston went into the break ahead 2-0.

It took the Bears just eight minutes in the second half to triple their lead. Brock Oakley found Evans with a brilliant long through ball then Evans played a cheeky ball into the path of Rob Macbeth who guided the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Troy Hearfield was introduced before the hour mark, and sparked his sides opening goal. He played an accurate volleyed pass into the path of Rene Ferguson who cut in from the left squaring up Scott Smith who drove a shot past Pratt to make the score 3-1.

Charlestown then put a lot of pressure on Weston in a positive ten minute period, and then the game became fairly scrappy momentarily.

In the seventy-seventh minute, Scott Smith had an excellent chance to double both his and his side’s tallies, but he drove a volley from inside the box over the crossbar, to the disappointment of the travelling Blues fans.

A minute later any hopes of a comeback were dashed for Charlestown as they were reduced to ten men when Daniel Bird received his second yellow card of the match, both for late tackles that he would have felt he could have maybe judged better.

Weston then made the Blues pay with six minutes remaining, with Robbie Turnbull firing home a volley into the bottom right hand corner after Michael Ryan brilliantly controlled a lobbed free kick.

That was the final goal of the match, Weston defeating Charlestown 4-1.

The three points were huge for the Bears. The win took them to second on the competition ladder, just two points behind the first placed Jets. Next week they take on eighth placed South Cardiff.

Charlestown slip out of the top five with the loss, but have the chance to re-enter it next weekend when they host the last placed Lake Macquarie City.

 

 

Lambton Jaffas FC 1 def. by South Cardiff FC 2
Arthur Edden Oval
Saturday 26th July 2.45pm

With Hamilton and the Newcastle Jets Youth postponed, the only match played on Saturday afternoon saw Lambton host South Cardiff.

Lambton had the chance to go top of the table, as they trailed the Jets Youth by just two points.

The Gunners went into the match aware that a win would take them within two points of the top five, which would give them a massive boost with just two matches remaining after this Round 16 clash.

Both sides had good chances to open the scoring in the first five minutes. Gunners skipper Jarryd Johnson played a quality through ball into the path of a flying Matt Wilesmith who looked to be away on goals, however a poor touch saw Dennis Fajkovic recover and win the ball.

Minutes later, Kale Bradbery got in behind the Gunners defence and advanced into the box, but his shot had no power and was no chance of beating keeper Mick Stafford.

In the eighth minute, Dan Johnson produced a curling cross towards Wilesmith at the back stick however it was a tad high for the leaping midfielder.

Lambton immediately broke with a swift counter attack and Bradbery registered his second shot on target that was full of power, forcing a great save out of Stafford.

In the fourteenth minute, Jarryd Johnson played a major role in helping South Cardiff take the lead. Johnson picked up the ball just outside the eighteen yard box and neatly tapped the ball around a defender running onto it and driving a shot on goal. The shot was well saved by Danny Ireland, but it fell straight to Ash Balcomb who slotted into an empty net.

In the twentieth minute Jaffas almost equalised. Riley McNaughton brilliantly controlled a Dino Fajkovic cross inside the eighteen and unleashed a stinging volley. Stafford was again up to the task producing a quality diving save.

On the half hour mark Luke Remington brought the crowd to their feet with a dazzling run down the right hand side. He then cut inside, skipping past Chris Gazzard, and struck a powerful shot on goal, but again Stafford was too good.

The last kick of the first half nearly sent the Jaffas into the break even. Bradbery made a good run down the left hand side and cut a ball back to Dino Fajkovic who was unmarked on the penalty spot. His connected well with the shot however it cannoned off the cross bar and the teams went into the break with the Gunners ahead 1-0.

Immediately after the break both teams resumed their attacking manners, a positive indication that the second half would be as entertaining as the first. Both keepers were forced into a number of saves in the opening five minutes, and it became obvious that the side who could take their chances would win this clash.

In the fifty-seventh minute an attractive array of passes between Dennis, Dino Fajkovic and Bradbury, saw Dino become free in the box. Bradbery found him with a cut-back from the right hand side but the shot was dragged across the face of goal.

A sense of anticipation was felt on the hour mark as both coaches made attacking substitutions, with Greg Asquith introducing Jamie Byrnes and Lee Ashton, and David Tanchevski throwing Michael Lawrence into the action.

In the seventieth minute the Gunners were awarded a penalty as Wheelhouse brought down Byrnes. Byrnes stepped up to the spot and slotted it in the bottom right-hand corner, with Ireland diving the wrong way.

With fifteen minutes remaining the Gunners nearly went three ahead. Byrnes released Wilesmith down the right hand sideline, who whipped in a cross looking for Dean Kelley, however the ball eluded his outstretched boot and the danger was gone for the Jaffas.

Five minutes later Stafford denied another crafty Bradbery effort, and it looked as though it was going to take something special to beat him.

That turned out not to be the case as Lambton pulled themselves back into the game with five minutes remaining. South Cardiff failed to clear a loose ball in their box, and it eventually fell to Kevin Davison after a scramble, and he made no mistake, driving it into the back of the net past Stafford.

In the eighty-eighth minute Ireland gifted his side a lifeline, denying Daniel Johnson from close range after Sean Clerke delivered an accurate cross to his feet just six yards out.

On the ninety minute mark Ireland pulled off another sublime save, keeping the Jaffas in the match, however they could not pull another goal back, South Cardiff holding on to win 2-1.

South Cardiff coach Greg Asquith was understandably very happy with the win.

‘I thought we did quite well,’ he said.

‘We deserved to win and I thought again as a team we moved the ball well considering the conditions. It was the first time this year all three grades had won, so it was a fantastic day for our club against one of the strongest clubs’.

The loss sees the Jaffas drop from second to third, overtaken by Weston. Their hopes of becoming Minor Premiers are still alive though as they are three behind the Jets Youth who they face next weekend in the Match of the Round.

The win takes South Cardiff to within three points of the top five, but they remain in eighth. Next week they take on Weston at Ulinga Oval.

 

 

Hamilton Olympic FC 1 drew Newcastle Jets Youth 1
Darling Street Oval
Saturday 26th July 2.45pm changed to Sunday 27th July 4.30pm

The match between Hamilton and the Newcastle Jets Youth was called off on Saturday afternoon, however the sides met the next evening in what turned out to be an intriguing affair.

Hamilton had the chance to go to fourth with a win after Charlestown lost to Weston and Edgeworth drew with Adamstown. The Jets were in no danger of losing first position, however were aware that a win would increase their chances of becoming minor premiers.

James Monie opened the scoring early on in the match for Hamilton, but the Jets hit back not long after through Liam O’Reilly.

The sides went into the break locked at 1-1.

On the hour mark, Hamilton keeper Brad Swancott produced a superb save denying Tom Waller from close range.

Ten minutes later the Jets were reduced to ten men as Pat Brown was fouled inside the box, winning his side a penalty. Mason Campbell stepped up to the spot, but Jets keeper John Solari picked the right way and saved the shot.

Minutes later Matt Swan ran onto a pin point Pat Brown through ball and spotted it past Solari to make the score 2-1.

In the seventy-fifth minute Greg Anderson slid desperately to deny a Waller shot from close range, keeping his side in the game.

With four minutes remaining Matt Swan won a ball on the halfway line and played a pass to Monie. Swan continued his run and Monie slipped him in for a one on one chance with a ball in behind the defence. Solari closed down his angle perfectly and stood strong to deny him from close range.

The match hit a twist in the 89th minute as Blake Green handled the ball inside the eighteen. They Jets were awarded a penalty, and Nick Cowburn stepped up and blasted the ball into the back of the net, salvaging a point for the Jets as the match finished 2-2.

Hamilton coach Mick Bolch said that he thought that his side were good on the night, but created a lot of chances that they failed to capitalise on.

Matt Swan and Cody Lucas worked tirelessly for ninety minutes and their efforts did not go unnoticed as Bolch labeled them both as key figures in the win.

Jets coach James Pascoe was proud of the resilience in which his side showed.

‘The boys dug deep to get a point,’ he said.

‘It wasn't our best performance but after a hard game Wednesday night against our first team I was pleased with their ability to work through their fatigue and come from behind against a team that was fighting for their place in the finals’.

The result sees Hamilton move to fourth, and the Jets moved two ahead of second placed Weston.

Next week Olympic travel to Adamstown Oval to challenge the ninth placed Rosebud, whilst the Jets will compete in the Match of the Round against Lambton.

 

 

Edgeworth FC 1 drew Adamstown Rosebud FC 1
Jack McLaughlan Oval
Sunday 27th July 2.45pm

Adamstown Rosebud travelled to Jack McLaughlan Oval to challenge the Edgeworth Eagles in the fourth match of Round 16.

Both sides had a lot to play for in this match. Edgeworth was playing to keep their minor premiers hopes alive, and the Rosebud was playing to keep their finals hopes alive.

Matt Comerford took to the bench despite feeling ginger with an injury he had been carrying, and was called into action early, replacing Jack Brilliante who pulled his hamstring.

It turned out to be a blessing for Adamstown, as Comerford then opened the scoring in the twenty-fifth minute.

Adamstown went into the break with a 1-0 lead, however a goal to Luke Walker in the second half saw Edgeworth equalise.

The full time whistle sounded with the sides locked at 1-1.

Adamstown coach Anthony Richards was extremely happy with the performance.

‘We played really well and I’m happy with the enthusiasm and effort the boys showed,’ he said.

‘Dean Holt had to fill in at centre back. He isn’t very experienced there, but managed to have a great game and picked up our Players Player award, and Dayne Pawlik was great all game and led the boys around well’.

Edgeworth stay fourth with the draw, and Adamstown remain in ninth.

Both sides face tough tasks next week. The Rosebud host Hamilton Olympic at Adamstown Oval, whilst Edgeworth travel to Magic Park to take on Broadmeadow.

 

 

Lake Macquarie City FC 0 def. by Broadmeadow Magic FC 3
Macquarie Field
Sunday 27th July 2.45pm

The final match of Round 16 took place at Macquarie Field, as Lake Macquarie City welcomed Broadmeadow Magic.

Lake Macquarie was remaining hopeful that they could avoid relegation, as they were still a mathematical chance, whilst a win for Broadmeadow was essential if they were to keep their finals hopes alive.

Inside the opening few minutes Chris Berlin opened the scoring for Broadmeadow, and they never looked threatened from there.

Halfway through the second half Rhys Tippet converted a penalty that sent the away side into the break leading 2-0.

Hakan Canli scored the only goal of the second half, gifting Broadmeadow a well-earned 3-0 win.

Magic coach Glen Chapman was pleased to see that his side continued to produce good football.

‘We played well. We have been creating a lot of opportunities and today the score line could’ve been anything,’ he said.

‘I found it extremely positive that we kept a clean sheet’.

‘Chris Berlin and Matt Paul were quality today, however I believe the team as a whole performed really well and I was happy overall’.

The win keeps Magic in seventh, but moves them to within three points of the top five. Next week they take on Edgeworth Eagles at home in what will be a tough match.

Lake Macquarie will finish last as a result of the draw. They will play for pride in the final two rounds, and next week they travel to Lisle Carr Oval to verse Charlestown City Blues.