After conquering the Premiership with nine points to spare, Newcastle Olympic take on Cooks Hill on Sunday for a place in the 2025 Preliminary Reserve Grade NPL Final! They missed the opportunity of qualifying for the Grand Final last week after sustaining a 2-1 defeat by Maitland FC in the Major Semi-Final of the competition.
As in the case with the game between Olympic and Maitland, very little separates the two teams and the result of the match will be determined by small details or flashes of brilliance by the players of both teams.
During the season the teams met twice and Cooks Hill were victorious on each occasion. In Round 1 of the competition Olympic were defeated at Darling St Oval by 2-0. The two teams crossed swords again in Round 12 at Speers Point. In torrential rain Olympic lead 2-0 in the first half only to lose 3-2 by the end of the match.
The strength in both teams is their midfield with some outstanding players in attack as well as defence. Cooks Hill finished the season in 2nd place on the table, 9 points behind the Premiers Newcastle Olympic. To reach the Preliminary Final they were beaten by Maitland FC 3-1 in the Qualifying Final but a week later were able to defeat Broadmeadow Magic 3-1 in the Minor Semi Final. Newcastle Olympic, as Premiers, faced Maitland FC in the Major Semi Final last Sunday and despite taking the lead, were defeated 2-1.
The Preliminary Final at Rockwell Automation Park, Weston on Sunday will determine which of the two teams will face Maitland FC in the Grand Final on 7th September.
Newcastle Olympic will have to battle it out with Cooks Hill United to make the 2025 NPL Reserve Grade Grand Final after going down 2-1 to Maitland FC at the LMRFF on Sunday.
Playing in warm and dry conditions both teams put on a good display for the healthy crowd in attendance. The deciding factor which led to all three goals were slight defensive errors and luck!
Olympic drew first blood in the 19th minute when Aswin Gurung of Maitland slipped inside the edge of his box when attempting to receive a pass. Oliver Steinerts from Olympic seized the opportunity and upon controlling the ball, unleased a curling shot to the far post which left the Maitland goalkeeper without any chance of saving.
Leading 1-0 Olympic played with confidence but could not find free channels for the attacking moves they are used to enjoying against other teams. Maitland, who usually play a 4-4-2 formation were playing 4-5-1 against Olympic. They overloaded the midfield, outnumbering Olympic 5 to 3, and in doing so reducing their time and space on the ball. Added to this was a consistent movement of the ball and the use of the full width of the field and the match was balanced in both possession and shots on goal.
Four minutes before half time Maitland won a free kick between the half-way line and the Olympic box. Harrison Swan floated a free kick which was deflected back to him and finding no one to challenge him, he lined up a curling drive that ended in the top corner of the Olympic goal!
Both teams went into the half time interval locked at 1-1 and with Maitland having 5 shots at goal to Olympics’ 4.
With the start of the second half Pharrell Trainnor fired a shot from just outside the box on the left which caught everyone by surprise. The ball hit the bar and rebounded back into the six-yard box and to Maitland’s luck, at the feet of Jayden Ritchie who just tapped it over the line!
The match continued with Olympic trying to break the stalemate but finding all the channels blocked by a well-structured Maitland team. Frustration resulted in a total of 8 yellow cards, four for each team but the 2-1 scoreline remained until the end.
Maitland booked themselves into the Grand Final which is scheduled on 7th September at Darling St Oval while Olympic will have to beat Cooks Hill United next Sunday at Rockwell Automation Park Weston to be able to join them.
After a difficult start to the season, Newcastle Olympic are your NPL Men’s Reserve Grade Premiers.
Kicking off the year with two consecutive losses, this young squad showed plenty of grit and resilience to get their season back on track with a 10-match win streak.
The season had it all – goals galore, comeback wins, first grade debuts, youth players stepping up amidst an injury crisis. It’s a testament to the squad’s unwavering commitment to the cause that once they found themselves at the top, they never gave in.
They now set their sights on the Championship and a potential home Grand Final. We wish them all the best in their finals quest.
Newcastle Olympic FC will meet Maitland FC next Sunday for a place in the 2025 Νorthern NSW NPL Grand – Final! Broadmeadow Magic eliminated Weston in the Elimination Final by 2-0 on Sunday while Maitland FC defeated Cooks Hill United 3-1 on Saturday.
Cooks Hill United took on Maitland FC at Jack McLaughlan Oval in Edgeworth and hit the lead in the 38th minute from a goal scored by Jemila Oko. By the 40th minute Maitland drew level through midfielder Jayden Ritchie.
Upon the start of the second half the same player increased the score to 2-1 for Maitland and Tatenda Goora put it beyond reach in the 61st minute. Ten minutes before full time and while Maitland were leading 3-1 the game was abandoned due lightening caused by a huge storm.
Cooks Hill didn’t appear to be in the game and Maitland were deserved winners on the day.
The following day at Arthur Eden Oval Broadmeadow Magic put Weston to the sword 2-0 with the goals being scored by Jesse Hill in the 2nd and 14th minutes of the game. Magic dominated the match and were deserved winners.
Broadmeadow Magic will face Cooks Hill United at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday 23rd of August while the Premiers, Newcastle Olympic will take on Maitland FC at Magic Park on the Sunday.
Olympic defeated Maitland in Round 5 of the competition 1-0 at Cook Square Park in Maitland and were defeated by them 1-0 at Darling St Oval in a controversial game during which the home side had a player sent off!
Both teams are very strong and only minor details will probably determine the result of the match. The winner will qualify for the Grand Final which will be played at Darling St Oval on the 7 September. The loser will player the winner of the fixture between Broadmeadow Magic and Cooks Hill the following week. The winner of this game will be the second team to qualify for the final.
Minor Semi-Final:
Cooks Hill Utd vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off 11:30am on Saturday 23rd August 2025 at Jack McLaughlan Oval, Edgeworth. If the match is affected by wet weather, it will be transferred to the LMRFF at Speers Point.
Major Semi-Final:
Newcastle Olympic FC vs Maitland FC kick off at 11:30am on Sunday 24th August 2025 at Magic Park, Broadmeadow. If the match is affected by wet weather, it will be transferred to the LMRFF at Speers Point.
Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade Men, as 2025 Northern NSW Premiers, have a bye in the first week of the Finals series. There will be action however for the other four teams that made the top 5, Cooks Hill United, Maitland FC, Broadmeadow Magic FC, and Weston Bears FC.
The Qualifying Final will be held at Jack McLaughlan Oval at Edgeworth and will be contested between 2nd placed Cooks Hill United and 3rd placed Maitland FC.
The Elimination Final will be held at Arthur Edden Oval in Lambton and will be contested between 4th placed Broadmeadow Magic FC and 5th placed Weston Bears FC.
The winner of the Qualifying Final will play Newcastle Olympic the following weekend for a place in the Grand Final! The loser will play the winner of the Elimination Final.
QUALIFYING FINAL:
Cooks Hill United FC vs Maitland FC kick off 1:00pm on Saturday 16th August 2025 at Jack McLaughlan Oval at Edgeworth.
ELIMINATION FINAL:
Broadmeadow Magic FC vs Weston Bears FC kick off 12:00pm on Sunday 17th August at Arthur Edden Oval in Lambton.
Newcastle Olympic returned victorious from their Round 22 fixture against Belmont Swansea with Reserve Grade winning 3-1 and First Grade, 3-2. Reserve Grade have won the Premiership and First Grade will contest a place in the top five of the competition during the final game of the season against New Lambton!
Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade were crowned 2025 NPL Reserve Grade Premiers of Northern NSW when on Saturday night, second placed Cooks Hill were beaten by Broadmeadow Magic. This defeat meant that Olympic could not be caught on the points table regardless of their results in the final two games of the season.
Having claimed the first title of the season, Olympic began the match against Belmont at an intensity level that reminded a training session than a competitive game. Belmont, having been beaten 5-0 at the same venue four weeks earlier played compact and with every player behind the ball.
The celebration tempo of the game was disturbed in the 19th minute when Belmont fired a shot from outside the box which rebounded off the goalpost and into the Olympic net! Six minutes later a teasing corner by George Tsamouras found the head of Jed Hornery at the near post who taking advantage of the power and bend in the ball, flicked it on and buried the ball at the back of the net of the far post! The score remained 1-1 until half time despite the pressure of Olympic and the opportunities created.
In the second half Olympic continued to press and Belmont refused to come out of their shell. In the 69th minute a corner by Oliver Steinerts found midfielder George Tsamouras on the edge of the box who unleashed a thunderbolt to put Olympic 2-1 in the lead. Celebrations over the goal were not over before a cross by Lucas Walshe from the right found Jesse Fitzgerald inside the six-yard box who had little difficulty increasing the scoreline to 3-1.
The score remained 3-1 until the end and Olympic can have a rest until the finals. The scheduled wash out game against New Lambton on Tuesday night will not go ahead as it has no bearing on the points table for either team.
The First Grade fixture between Newcastle Olympic and Belmont Swansea had a similar start as that of Reserve Grade. Belmont opened the score in the 13 minute with a penalty when Olympic defender Luke Rutledge was judged to have fouled an opponent. Olympic tried to equalise but the stalemate lasted until the 60th minute when Ben Hay scored from a free kick from a very narrow angle.
Olympic bombarded the Belmont goal continuously but it wasn’t until the 68th minute that Marcus Duncan rose higher than any other player to send a header into the net from a Ben Hay corner. By the 76th minute a sustained attack by Olympic resulted in Kale Bradbery receiving the ball from a rebound off the cross bar by a Roy Donovan header and a shot that gave the keeper no chance.
With the cushion of a 3-1 lead Olympic continued to pressure Belmont. A late consolation goal by Belmont four minutes from the end was too little, too late! Olympic now face New Lambton again, in the wash out fixture of a previous wash out fixture at the LMRFF at 8.00pm on Wednesday night.
For Olympic to make it in the top five, they need to win against relegated New Lambton and for Belmont to defeat Maitland!
Newcastle Olympic have won the 2025 NPL Reserve Grade Premiership of Northern NSW two games before the end of the season!
Newcastle Olympic are on top of the table on 46 points, 5 points ahead of 2nd placed Cooks Hill United and 10 points ahead of 4th placed Broadmeadow Magic. Newcastle Olympic are scheduled to play their second last game of the season on Sunday night at the LMRFF in Speers Point but tonight Cooks Hill took on Broadmeadow Magic and were defeated by 4-0.
Mathematically, Newcastle Olympic can’t be caught on the points table regardless of the results in their final two matches against Belmont and New Lambton!
Congratulations to the players, coaching staff, supporters, administrators and sponsors. Newcastle Olympic led the competition from Round 7 and deserve winning the 2025 NPL Reserve Grade Premiership of Northern NSW. One title won, one to go!
Newcastle Olympic take on Belmont Swansea FC at the LMRFF on Sunday night. A win for Reserve Grade crowns them 2025 Reserve Grade NPL Premiers of Northern NSW! First Grade need to win this game as well as the last game against New Lambton and hope that Lambton Jaffas lose their last remaining game to capture 5th place!
Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade put in a gutsy performance at Weston midweek and came away with a 2-0 victory. They lead the competition by 5 points from second placed Cooks Hill United on 46 points. With a win against Belmont on Sunday night they win the Premiership. The round 11 fixture between the two teams was washed out and played four weeks ago also at the LMRFF. On that evening Olympic won 5-0. On paper Olympic are too strong and should prevail with the 3 points.
There is a possibility they may be crowned Premiers on Saturday night depending on the result between Cooks Hill United and Broadmeadow Magic which is also being held at the LMRFF. If Cooks Hill draw or lose to Broadmeadow Magic, Newcastle Olympic win the Premiership regardless of the results in their final two games against Belmont and New Lambton.
Kick off 8:00pm at the LMRFF Speers Point on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Newcastle Olympic First Grade are in 6th place, 5 points behind Lambton Jaffas who occupy 5th spot. To frog leap the Jaffas, Olympic need to win both games against Belmont and New Lambton and hope Jaffas lose against Maitland.
On paper Olympic have a stronger squad than both Belmont and New Lambton but this hasn’t always translated on the field this season! In both matches played at Darling St Oval both Belmont and New Lambton were able to come away with draws!
Olympics’ biggest problem is being disciplined in their play and avoiding gifting goals to opponents. If they overcome this part of their game they are capable of securing 6 points from their last two games and then it’s up to the result between Lambton Jaffas and Maitland.
Kick off 6:00pm at the LMRFF Speers Point on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade put on a great performance to come away with a 2-0 victory at Weston and be a whisker away from the 2025 Reserve Grade Premiership. First Grade did not have the same luck and were convincingly beaten by 5-1 in the Round 13 wash out fixture at the Rockell Automation Park.
On a slippery pitch Weston Bears and Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade played out a high intensity match that kept the small number of spectators who braved the evening cold on the edge of their seats! Weston needed to win to secure 5th spot on the ladder from Lambton Jaffas and having claimed the scalp of Cooks Hill recently, were in the mood to do the same to the league leaders, Newcastle Olympic.
Olympic who themselves surrendered a 2-0 half time lead the previous week to Cooks Hill had different ideas. They opened the score as early as the 4th minute through a penalty which was converted by Jed Hornery after a Weston player handled the ball inside the area. Weston took the game to Olympic and had 13 shots on goal to Olympics’ 5! The statistic which told the story about what spectators were watching is that the shots on target were 5-4 Olympics’ way! Weston were laborious and unproductive while Olympic precise and full of substance.
With the start of the second half Olympic scored again in the 46th minute through Jed Hornery and fought tooth and nail to keep Weston out until the end of the game. Weston had a total of 18 shots on goal but only 5 on target compared to Olympics’ 9 shots on goal but 7 on target! Caylan Law the leading goal-scorer of both Weston and all of Reserve Grade hit the woodwork from a free kick but didn’t even get a sniff of goal from open play. Olympic dug in and were in no mood to present gifts like they did in the second half to Cooks Hill a week before!
After turning a 2-0 half time deficit in Maitland to a 3-2 full time victory, Cooks Hill retain 2nd spot on 41 points with two games to go (Broadmeadow Magic and Charlestown Azzurri) and Olympic move to 46 points with also two games to go (Belmont and New Lambton)! Cooks Hill take on Broadmeadow Magic on Saturday night at the LMRFF while Olympic do the same to Belmont on Sunday night at the same venue! If Cooks Hill draw or lose against Magic, Olympic win the Premiership! If Olympic win against Belmont on Sunday, they win the Premiership, regardless of what happens in the Cooks Hill vs Broadmeadow Magic game.
The level of intensity between Weston and Newcastle Olympic First Grade was less than then their Reserve Grade counterparts but the slippery surface prevented both teams from being able to play free flowing football. Weston opened the score within 30 seconds as the Olympic defense were caught napping with a solo run by Musa Kamara! By the 13th minute Zach Thomas was judged to have slapped an opponent during a challenge inside the box and the ensuing penalty was converted by Chris Hatfield. Both goals were gifts and not the result of constructive moves by the home team.
By the 31st minute Kyle Bradburry was able to pull a goal back from a shot from close range after a nice through ball out wide by Ben Hay. Olympic enjoyed a lot of ball possession from this moment until the end of the half. On the 45th minute Olympic gave away a free header from a corner which the goalkeeper was able to get a hand but as soon as the ball dropped to the ground Connor Evans was able to tap over the line! Just seconds before this header Chris Hurley from Weston pushed over Jesse Fitzgerald with both hands and knocked him to the ground as the corner was being defended but nothing was given by the linesman or the referee!
Despite the 3-1 scoreline the game was not one sided. The shots on goal at half time were only 8-5 in favour of Weston and shots on target only 3-2 in favour of Weston.
The second half began in similar style to the first with both teams involved in a midfield battle. In the 58th minute the Olympic defence was stretched wide with Adam Pierce coming off his line to close-down a winger and then running back to his line. The ball was then crossed to an unmarked Chris Hatfield just outside the six-yard box who had no problem sticking it to the back of the Olympic net for a 4-1 scoreline!
In the 72nd minute Kyle Bradbery was tripped inside the box and was awarded a penalty. The spot kick was taken by Roy O’Donovan but the Weston goalkeeper saved the shot! This summed up the luck of Olympic all night! In the 81st minute a well worked move between Chris Hatfield and Aaron Niyonkuru enabled the latter to score the fifth goal for Weston and end a night of misery for Olympic.
The final 10 shots on target to Olympics’ 6 is proof that a 5-1 scoreline is unjustifiable and many of the goals were gifts by the team in blue and white.
Newcastle Olympic cross swords with Weston Bears in the third last game of the season. Reserve Grade need a win to embrace the Premiership and First Grade need a win to secure a top 5 finish to the season.
After an unlucky midweek result against Cooks Hill, Reserve Grade need to muster all their effort for their away fixture against Weston which could land them the Premiership two rounds before the end of the season. A win for Olympic brings them to 46 points and the only two teams that can reach this figure in their remaining three matches are Cooks Hill and Maitland!
Cooks Hill are on 38 points and face Maitland, Broadmeadow Magic and Charlestown Azzurri away! Maitland have Cooks Hill and Belmont at home and Lambton Jaffas away. Olympic have Weston, Belmont and New Lambton away. If Olympic win at Weston and Maitland defeat Cooks Hill, Olympic win the Premiership! Weston could reach the 46 points if they win all three remaining games and if Olympic lose their last two but are -18 goals on Olympic.
If Olympic are unsuccessful against Weston, they can still pick up 3 points in their remaining two fixtures against Belmont and New Lambton.
As a team, Weston play well against strong opposition. In their past five fixtures they have defeated Broadmeadow Magic 3-1 at home and Cooks Hill 2-1 away but drew against lowly placed Edgeworth, Adamstown and Charlestown Azzurri! Olympic have been the most consistent team in the competition and apart from the glitch against Cooks Hill midweek, have the capacity to put Weston to the sword on Wednesday night and be crowned Premiers for 2025!
Kick off 6:00pm at Rockwell Automation Park on Wednesday 6th August 2025.
Newcastle Olympic First Grade will have their hands full against a Weston side that has inflicted two defeats on Edgeworth Eagles in the past 5 weeks to ensure that Broadmeadow Magic win the First Grade Premiership for 2025! The team Olympic are chasing is Maitland who are in 5th spot and just 3 points in front of them. On the same night Maitland will be hosting Cooks Hill United and are favourites to secure the 3 points.
The golden rule in football is never say never! Despite the odds against them, Olympic need to try and secure a result against Weston and hope they get maximum points against Belmont and New Lambton.
Kick off 8:00pm at Rockwell Automation Park on Wednesday 6th August 2025.
George Tsamouras Football Journey 