NPL: Newcastle Olympic take on Broadmeadow Magic in qualifying final

QUALIFYING FINAL

BROADMEADOW MAGIC V NEWCASTLE OLYMPIC

MAGIC PARK – SATURDAY 6.30PM

It will be the red and blue derby in the qualifying final with arch rivals Broadmeadow Magic to take on Newcastle Olympic at Magic Park on Saturday night.

The two clubs have a history of creating memorable encounters and Saturday’s qualifying final will add another chapter to the rivalry.

Broadmeadow have had a fantastic regular season finishing second with eight wins and scoring 29 goals, the second highest attacking record in the league.

Magic have had a draw and a loss in their previous two games but will be accustomed to playing in another finals series having qualified for their sixth consecutive finals appearance.

Newcastle Olympic will return to the finals after missing out for two seasons, with the side finishing third after a final round 3-0 victory over Valentine ensured their ticket into the finals.

Olympic have won four of their last five games to come into the finals in good form and will be readily preparing for another big game.

The two clubs have met on 50 occasions with Broadmeadow having the slight advantage with 21 wins to Olympics’ 20, highlighting the competitiveness of the rivalry.

Broadmeadow beat Olympic 3-1 in round three to now hold the slim advantage.

Magic coach Anthony Richards said his side looked forward to another exciting affair against Olympic.

“It is a big game, even if it was round one it would be no different. The boys are preparing really well and the Jaffas game was a perfect lead in game, they gave us a terrific hit-out to prepare us,” Richards said.

“We’ve had a terrific season. Before round one the players were told they weren’t getting paid and the coaching staff and for all those guys to hang around and get to where they are is a massive tick in their character.

“It is a different competition now and we want to win it and we’ll be doing the best we can to get there. [Olympics’] coaching staff have done a terrific job and they are very good.

“This is the first game where everyone is available in the whole squad which is perfect timing. We’re looking forward to it.”

Newcastle Olympic interim coach Alex Tagaroulias said he was ecstatic with the side’s position and looked forward to the next instalment of the derby.

“For a club like ours, it’s always important to be as successful as possible so it is quite pleasing to be back in the semis. It feels like it’s been a long time even though it’s only been a couple of seasons. It’s a massive boost for the whole place,” Tagaroulias said.

“We have a decent squad to pick from with a couple of injured players back so there is more options to pick from which a couple of weeks ago we didn’t have. We’re all feeling rather good.

“We’re going to have to improve again, the clean sheets were good, the goals we score were good but we’re going to have to improve again to overcome Broadmeadow Magic.

“It doesn’t take much to motivate players of either club when it’s Olympic against Broadmeadow, adding to that it is a semi-final. My message to them is to enjoy it and have no regrets.”

The winner of this clash will progress to the major semi-final to play premiers Edgeworth.

source: https://northernnswfootball.com.au/

NPL:

1^st Grade:

Newcastle Olympic vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off 6.30PM on Sunday 18^th October at Magic Park.

Reserve Grade as Premiers do not play this weekend

U18s Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off 9:00AM on Saturday 17^th October at Darling St Oval.

WPL:

Grand – Finals

1^ST Grade: Newcastle Olympic vs Warners Bay kick off at 5.30 PM at Macquarie Field on Sunday 18^th October 2020.

Reserve Grade: Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 2.00PM at Macquarie Field on Sunday 18^th October 2020.

U17s: Merewether vs Newcastle Olympic kick off at 11.30PM at Macquarie Field on Sunday 18^th October 2020.