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.
Kick-off is at 11:30am.
Source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 