Newcastle Olympic Reserve Grade continued their quest to retain the Premiership by defeating Lambton Jaffas 1-0 at Arthur Eden Oval but were denied the title 12 minutes from time by Valentine FC who took the lead 2-1 against Weston and kept it until the very end.
Newcastle Olympic went into this match 2 points behind Valentine FC, knowing they needed to win and for Valentine to draw or lose their match against Weston FC. Despite taking to the field with many unavailable players, Olympic scored through Rhys Buttler mid-way through the first half and kept the lead to the very end.
Valentine took the lead 1-0 but before half time Weston drew 1-1 and this scoreline kept Olympics’ hopes alive until 12 minutes from time! At the point Valentine scored again and were able to retain their 2-1 lead until the very end!
Valentine FC were crowned 2026 Reserve Grade Premiers, Olympic finished 2nd, Cooks Hill 3rd, Broadmeadow Magic 4th and Maitland 5th!
Olympic will meet Cooks Hill at home next week and if they win, they will play Valentine for a place in the 2026 Northern NSW NPL Reserve Grade Grand Final.
Newcastle Olympic First Grade finished the season with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lambton Jaffas but thanks to Kahibah losing 4-2 to Cooks Hill finished the season in 3rd last spot and saved their position in the league by just 1 point.
This put an end to one of the worst seasons in their 50 year history!
Source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 