Newcastle Olympic bowed out of the 2025 Reserve Grade NPL Finals after being defeated 3-0 by Cooks Hill United on Sunday. This brings their season to an end after they won the Premiership 9 points clear from second placed Cooks Hill and Maitland FC.
The match was played in dry and warm conditions at the Rockwell Automation Park in Weston. Olympic began the game with a cautious approach paying more attention to their defence than being adventurous in attack. The pattern that developed was a midfield battle with occasional Cooks Hill attacks which were repelled by the Olympic defence.
The first goal came in the 42nd minute when Kobe Bailey lobbed in a high ball from the left which caught the Olympic goalkeeper off his line and despite back peddling to reach the ball, he was unable to keep it out. While the boys in blue were recovering from the shock of falling behind a corner kick by Cooks Hill resulted in Jemila Oko winning a header under pressure and making the score 2-0!
In the second half Olympic began to dictate play and pressed Cooks Hill for an equaliser that never came. Cooks Hill were almost content to give Olympic possession of the ball but with every attack they were quick to counter. During one such occasion they were able to score a third goal in the 61st minute!
The Olympic bench tried to help by introducing fresh legs but to no avail. The Olympic attack didn’t even have luck on their side and the score remained 3-0 until the end.
Despite the disappointment of missing out from playing in the Grand Final at Darling St Oval, the Newcastle Olympic reserve grade team had a very successful season. They won the Premiership with 9 points difference from the second placed team and were the most consistent side of the season.
Congratulations to the players and coaching staff once again and happy holidays.
Source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 