Match of the Round

Lambton Jaffas 0-0 Charlestown Azzurri

Lambton Jaffas and Charlestown Azzurri ground out a goalless draw at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday in the Match of the Round.

The match had significant implications on the top five after both left the home of the Jaffas with a point.

Lambton had seven shots on target to Charlestown’s three but neither side could force their way through to score the elusive goal.

The result is the Jaffas’ third clean sheet of the season while Charlestown’s defensive record is now the second best in the league, conceding only 10 goals this campaign bettered only by leaders Edgeworth.

The draw also saw both sides move into the top five with the teams above dropping points as the Jaffas sit fourth and Charlestown fifth, only split by goal difference.

The Jaffas play Weston next weekend in another massive game as the regular season approaches its climax while Charlestown have the bye.

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Broadmeadow Magic 4-2 Weston Workers

Broadmeadow all but wrapped up second place with a decisive 4-2 victory over Weston at Magic Park on Saturday.

Sam Walker opened the scoring with a brilliant drive in the first minute of the game to set Magic on their way while Jarred Baker and John Majurovski added goals before the break to complete a first half rout.

James Virgil found the net in the second half to continue his excellent season in front of goal while Weston scored two late consolation goals through Aaron Niyonkuru and Chris Hurley.

The win takes Magic to 22 points, five above Olympic with four games to play in the regular season.

Weston slipped outside the top five following the defeat but remain level with fifth place on 14 points. The Bears face Lambton next weekend in another huge game.

Broadmeadow’s attack remains number one in the competition and coach Anthony Richards said he was happy with the win.

"We were missing a few boys and the young boys filled into different positions and did well," Richards said.

"The goal is to finish as high as we can. We just look forward to playing every weekend and if we have enough points at the end of the season, then that is great for us and we're fully focused on Lake Macquarie this weekend.

"Jacob Dowse, who is normally an attacking player, played left back and did great and Jarred Baker, who made his debut a week ago, did terrific.

“Jayden Stewardson and Ty Cousins did well when they came on and caused Weston problems."

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Edgeworth Eagles 2-0 Valentine FC

Edgeworth have one hand on a record premiership with a clinical 2-0 victory over Valentine at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday.

The Eagles had to wait until the 71st minute to crack the Phoenix defence, with player-coach Josh Rose scoring the crucial goal to make it 1-0.

Kristian Brymora sealed the result in the final minute pouncing on a loose ball in the box to wrap up a vital three points for Edgeworth as they march closer to a 13th title for the club.

The match had echoes of the previous encounter between the pair, while Edgeworth made it their ninth win of the season to bounce back from last round’s loss.

Valentine remain in the hunt for finals football on 11 points, a win outside the places although they will have to wait another week due to the bye next weekend.

"It wasn’t our best performance to be honest but I was happy in the end to get the result and three points. It was great though to get back to winning ways and keep a clean sheet," Rose said.

"The squad have pulled up very well. With a Saturday game it gives us an extra day of recovery this week which will be very good for our boys.

"There really has not been much talk of the premiership at all since I’ve taken over as coach. It has been a week to week progress. Our focus at the moment is only Olympic next week, which we are very much looking forward to."

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Maitland FC 0-1 Newcastle Olympic

Newcastle Olympic scored an important victory downing Maitland 1-0 at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.

Jared Muller scored the only goal with a header from a corner in the 29th minute to make it three goals in two games for the teenager.

The win sees Olympic move into outright third on the table while notching the double over Maitland with their second victory over the premiers this season.

Olympic have climbed to three points above Weston, Charlestown and Lambton in the fierce battle for the top five. Olympic will look to produce a similar result when they play Edgeworth next round.

The loss is the second on the bounce at Cooks Square Park for Maitland, their fifth of the season.

The Magpies have dropped to seventh, one point outside the coveted finals places. Maitland will look to reaffirm themselves when they take on Adamstown next weekend.

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Adamstown Rosebud and Lake Macquarie City had the bye.