Newcastle Olympic won their last round of the 2020 NNSW NPL season 3-0 at Valentine this afternoon to claim 3rd spot on the table and a place in the Finals. Earlier in the day Reserve Grade won 2-0 and claimed 1st place on the table and the Premiership. U18s who are also running in 1st place on their table defeated Maitland 6-0!
NPL: Valentine Eleebana FC vs Newcastle Olympic
1st Grade Olympic won 3-0 Goals: Rhys Cooper, Reece Papas, Anthony Marenghi
U17s Olympic 2-1 Adamstown U14s Olympic 1-5 Merewether United FC WPL
Congratulations to U17s for making it to the Grand Final. Newcastle Olympic will have teams in 3 out of 4 Grand Finals next week!
Newcastle Olympic WPL U17s
NPL Youth NPL Youth continued their domination with emphatic wins in all four age groups in the NPL Youth competitions and all four teams are positioned in 1st or 2nd spot in their respective tables.
Newcastle Olympic vs Weston Workers Bears FC
Under 16s Olympic won 4-1 Under 15s Olympic won 7-0 Under 14s Olympic won 5-0 Under 13s Olympic won 8-0
Zone League 1 Olympic vs University 1st Grade drew 1-1 Reserve Grade drew 1-1
Over 35’s
Congratulations to our O/35A Team who won the Premiership!!
Unfortunately their last game on Friday was cancelled with the opposition forfeiting.
Newcastle Olympic O35s
SAP/NET:
Newcastle Olympic SAP u9s, u10s, and u11s played against Macquarie Girls, Wallsend, Lake Macquarie, Weston, Edgeworth and Kahibah over the weekend and played very well and recorded some memorable victories.
U12s NET played at Kahibah on Saturday and won 3-0.
Community Juniors: Newcastle Community juniors played Round 14, the last of the season, on Saturday against Wallsend South Wallsend, Newcastle Grammar, and Maryland Fletcher. Our young Olympians ended their football journey for 2020 with a great display of football.
The club wishes to thank them, the coaching staff and their parents for a fantastic season. See you again in 2021.
Newcastle Olympic are one game away from returning to the finals arena and will be desperate for maximum points when they travel to play Valentine on Sunday.
A win would see Olympic move to 23 points and as high as third if they were to win while a draw or a loss could see them slip out of the five.
Newcastle defeated Adamstown Rosebud 2-0 last start with key players Reece Papas, Rhys Cooper and Blake Green all featuring in the NPL NNSW Team of the Week.
Valentine will be playing for pride and will want to finish their season on a high on their home turf.
The side narrowly went down 1-0 to Maitland last start and will finish the season in eighth.
Newcastle Olympic interim-coach Alex Tagaroulias said his side knows the significance of this final game.
“It’s a must win situation. It certainly is massive as a couple of teams could leapfrog us,” Tagaroulias said.
“It would be a fantastic outcome [to win]. It’s been a very difficult year for all our administration and volunteers and any clubs that are rewarded with a semi-final spot will feel really vindicated.
“We just have to be at our best. Valentine are no easy beats, lots of experienced campaigners and everyone has to be switched on and be mindful of them and then we need bring our own game.”
BROADMEADOW MAGIC V LAMBTON JAFFAS
MAGIC PARK – SUNDAY 5PM
After an enthralling 2020 regular season, it all comes down to the final round with a couple of finals places on the line in a few huge games across the weekend.
Broadmeadow Magic host a fired up Lambton Jaffas in a colossal battle at Magic Park.
Broadmeadow have locked up second spot on the table and will be eyeing a solid performance in preparation for the finals series while Lambton must win this game to keep their season alive.
The Jaffas sit two points outside the top five and only a win would do for the Jaffas, while they would require either Newcastle Olympic or Charlestown Azzurri to drop points.
Broadmeadow went down 2-0 to Charlestown Azzurri last start to knock them out of the premiership running while Lambton are fresh off the bye, with the Jaffas unbeaten in their last four fixtures.
Few can forget the last time these two sides met in round five with Magic stealing a 3-2 victory with a 90th minute winner at Arthur Edden Oval.
Broadmeadow coach Anthony Richards said his side were wary of Lambton’s capabilities and wanted an improvement from his side ahead of the finals.
“[Lambton] are a very good team and on their day probably the best side in the competition. If they are good enough to make the semi-finals, they could go on and win it,” Richards said.
“I’m sure they will be up for a big game against us and hope one of the other teams slip up.
“We need to lift on our intensity from last weekend and we just have to tidy things up in a couple of areas and we’ll start heading in the right direction again.”
Lambton coach James Pascoe said his players were solely focused on trying to beat Broadmeadow.
“Hard work on the training pitch is the only way to prepare for any match and this one is no different,” Pascoe said.
“We can’t control what happens elsewhere so our only focus has to be on getting what we need at Magic Park which is to win the game.
“At 2-1 up in the 87th minute in the last game against Magic fatigue had set in and we didn’t manage the game as we needed to.”
EDGEWORTH EAGLES V ADAMSTOWN ROSEBUD
JACK MCLAUGHLAN OVAL – SUNDAY 5PM
Edgeworth will lift a record-breaking 13th premiership after they take on Adamstown Rosebud at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
The Eagles have swept all before them winning 10 games out of 12 to wrap up top spot with a game to play and the side will want to continue the momentum heading into the finals.
Edgeworth are fresh off the bye last round and will take on the Rosebuds who will be looking to avoid last spot.
Adamstown went down 2-0 to Newcastle Olympic last start and sit one point above Lake Macquarie heading into the final round.
Rosebuds coach Shane Cansdell-Sheriff will take charge of his final game for the historic club and the players will be aiming for a high-quality send off for their experienced coach.
The Eagles defeated Adamstown 3-1 earlier in the season with striker Kristian Brymora scoring a hat-trick that day.
Edgeworth player-coach Josh Rose said it was a great feeling to know his side had won the premiership.
“It was a good feeling when the final whistle went [in the Charlestown-Broadmeadow game]. I think one of the boys mentioned it would have been nice to win it on the field together against Adamstown but once the result was finalised it didn’t take away from it and everyone was happy,” Rose said.
“We spoke about keeping our focus. Adamstown will be full of energy and it will be a good game for us.
“We want to win the game. It will be Old Boys Day so it’s always a special day at Jack McLaughlan.
“We recognised we did have a good group together and we grew even stronger through adversity. We had a fantastic season considering everything that happened at the start and it’s just a real credit to [the players] to push aside everything that happened and continue to focus on the job.”
LAKE MACQUARIE CITY V CHARLESTOWN AZZURRI
MACQUARIE FIELD – SUNDAY 5PM
Charlestown Azzurri are on the verge of finishing in the finals for the first time since 2014 if they are to beat a determined Lake Macquarie at Macquarie Field this Sunday.
Azzurri sit in the same boat as Newcastle Olympic as a victory will earn them entry into the finals, while a draw or loss could spell the end with Lambton Jaffas sitting just behind.
Charlestown defeated Broadmeadow Magic 2-0 last round and have won five of their last six games to be in red-hot form.
Lake Macquarie will be out to avoid last spot as the Roosters sit a point below Adamstown in the fight to avoid the dreaded last place.
The Roosters suffered another loss going down 3-0 to Weston last round and will want to finish the season on a high to build into 2021.
Lake Macquarie earned a draw against Azzurri last time these two sides played in round four.
Charlestown coach Graham Law said his side were focused on putting in a good performance and would not underestimate the Roosters.
“We have a lot to play for and [Lakes] won’t want to finish bottom of the league, so there will be no means taking them lightly,” Law said.
“There’s an opportunity [for us], there is also a nice blend of young players wanting to get to the finals for the first time and senior players who have had great careers and want to make a statement.
“We just know if we focus on this game and play the way we can then a win would take us through regardless so it’s just about getting a good performance and playing well.”
NPL SENIORS: On Sunday 11th October Newcastle Olympic contest the last round of the competition with Valentine at CB Complex. A win guarantees either 3rd or 4th place on the points ladder and a birth in the semi-finals.
Reserve Grade are 3 points clear in 1st spot on the points ladder and with even a draw or a win secure the Minor Premiership!
First Grade kick off at 5.00PM Reserve Grade kick off at 2:45PM
On Sunday 11th October 2020 U18s kick off at 5:00PM vs Maitland at Cooks Square Park, Maitland
HERALD WPL: After winning the WPL Club championship and last week’s triumph of both 1st Grade and Reserve Grade qualifying to the Grand Final after also finishing in 1st place in their respective competitions, U14s and and u17s do battle this weekend for a place in their Grand Final also.
U14s take on Merewether and U17s, Adamstown on Saturday at Magic Park.
U17s kick off at 11:00AM U14s kick off at 9:00AM
NPL YOUTH: On Sunday 11th October Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams welcome Weston to Darling St Oval in Round 18 of the competition.
U16s kick off at 3:00PM U15s kick off at 1:00PM U14s kick off at 11:00AM U13s kick off at 9:00AM
ZONE LEAGUE: Newcastle Olympic zone teams take on Uni Mens FC in Round 14 on Saturday 10th October at Darling St Oval.
First Grade kick off at 3:00PM Reserve Grade kick off at 1:00PM
Over 35s: Newcastle Olympic O35s were to take on Maitland but the later have forfeited the match.
SAP/NET: U9s Blue kick off at 9:00AM at LMRFF vs Macquarie Girls, on Saturday 10th October
U9s White kick off at 10:30AM at Fearley Dawes vs Wallsend on Saturday 10th October.
U10s White kick off at 3:15PM at LMRFF vs Lake Macquarie on Sunday 11th October
U10s Blue kick off at 10:30AM at Rockwell Automation Park vs Weston, on Sunday 11th October.
U11s White kick off at 12:15PM at LMRFF vs Edgeworth on Sunday 11th October.
U11s Blue kick off at 10:45AM at LMRRF vs Edgeworth on Saturday 10th October.
U12s NET kick off at 8:30AM at Kahibah 2 vs Kahibah on Saturday 10th October.
Community Juniors: Newcastle Community juniors play Round 14, the last of the season, on Saturday 10th October.
U6s/01 kick off at 10:15AM at Wallsend against Wallsend U6s/02 kick off at 9:00AM at Wallsend against Wallsend U6s/03 kick off at 9:00AM at Wallsend against Wallsend U7s/01 kick off at 10:15AM at Walker Field against South Wallsend U7s/02 kick off at 9:30AM at Kurraka Oval against Maryland Fletcher U8s/01 kick off at 10:15AM at Smith Park against Newcastle Grammar U8s/02 kick off at 9:00AM at Kurraka Oval against Maryland Fletcher U8s/03 kick off at 9.00AM at Wallsend against Wallsend
Former Jets representative Stacey Day made a match-winning cameo off the bench as Newcastle Olympic downed Broadmeadow in extra time and booked a spot in their first Northern NSW Women’s Premier League grand final.
Day came on late in the second half of the major semi and twice cleared the ball off the goal line in regulation time before converting a penalty in the 108th minute to break the deadlock and deliver Olympic a 2-1 victory at Speers Point on Sunday.
It follows Olympic wrapping up a breakthrough minor premiership last weekend, when Day made an unexpected return from a knee injury having joined the club earlier this year from 2019 champions New Lambton.
“It’s been disappointing for Stacey after picking up an injury in her second game for us and we didn’t really think she would be part of the season again,” Olympic coach Harmonie Attwill said.
“She’s been a surprise in for us but you can’t really say no to a player of that calibre.”
Atwill said starting left back Imogen Tusek had performed strongly before Day replaced her.
Brooke Summers opened the scoring for Olympic in the 14th minute before Magic struck back courtesy of Lucy Jerram around the half-hour mark.
Scores remained level at 1-all until full-time. This was followed by a 30-minute period of extra time.
Olympic progress to the 2020 decider at Adamstown Oval on October 18.
Broadmeadow now meet Warners Bay in this weekend’s preliminary final after the Panthers defeated Merewether 6-2 in the minor semi, which was also played at Speers Point on Sunday.
Warners Bay pair Jen Hoy and Annika D’Amico both netted hat-tricks. Tamara Nash and Ellie Withers replied for United. It was 4-0 at half-time.
NPL SENIORS: On Saturday Newcastle Olympic defeated Adamstown Rosebud in the second last match of the season 2-0 to claim 4th spot on the ladder. A win away to Valentine next week ensures 3rd or 4th spot on the ladder and a semi-final birth!
1st Grade Olympic won 2-0 Goals : Reece Papas, Rhys Cooper
HERALD WPL:A Great Day for our Herald Women’s Premier League teams on Sunday. Newcastle Olympic 1st Grade and Reserve Grade both qualified for the Grand Final!!
Semi Final Results 1st Grade – Major Semi Final Olympic 2-1 Broadmeadow Magic FC (AET) Goals: Brooke Summers, Stacey Day (pen)
Reserve Grade – Major Semi Final Olympic 2-1 Adamstown
Under 14s – Minor Semi Final Olympic 2-1 Adamstown
Our Under 17s and Under 14s play next week in the Preliminary Final
NPL YOUTH: On Sunday Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams continued their domination in all four age groups of the competition by recording victories over Valentine in Round 17 of the competition. Our U14s scored their 100th goal of the season and secured mathematically their spot in the semi-finals 5 games before the end of the season!
U16s won 4-0 U15s won 12-0 U14s won 3-1 U13s won 6-1
ZONE LEAGUE: There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.
Over 35s: There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.
SAP/NET: There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.
Community Juniors: There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.
NPL SENIORS: On Saturday 3rd October Newcastle Olympic contest Round 13 with Adamstown at Darling St Oval. Newcastle Olympic FC invites all ‘Old Boys’ from various eras to Darling St Oval on Saturday.
Wear anything blue and tell the guys on the gate and you’ll gain free entry! Extra beer voucher if you wear an old Olympic playing Jersey. The invite is also open to anyone involved in our WPL teams.
First Grade kick off at 5.00PM Reserve Grade kick off at 2:45PM
On Sunday 4th October: U18s kick off at 5:00PM vs Lambton Jaffas at Darling St Oval
HERALD WPL: WPL Semi-Finals are being held on Sunday October 4th at LMRFF at Speers Point and Newcastle Olympic is the only club to be represented by a team in all four age groups!
First Grade vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off at 3:00PM Reserve Grade vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 1:00PM U17s vs Merewether kick off at 11:00AM U14s vs Adamstown kick off at 9:00AM
NPL YOUTH: On Sunday 4th October Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams welcome Valentine in Round 17 of the competition to Darling St Oval.
U16s kick off at 3:00PM U15s kick off at 1:00PM U14s kick off at 11:00AM U13s kick off at 9:00AM
ZONE LEAGUE: There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.
Over 35s: There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.
SAP/NET: There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.
Community Juniors: There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.
Newcastle Olympic will play cross-town rivals Adamstown Rosebud at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.
After suffering a 3-1 loss to Edgeworth in round 11, Olympic had the bye last round and will feel refreshed heading into a must-win game.
Newcastle are fifth and a win would almost certainly cement their finals place. The side have 17 points with Charlestown Azzurri and Weston not far behind.
Adamstown has endured a difficult season having not registered a win since the opening round but have climbed above Lake Macquarie in the battle to avoid a last-placed finish.
The side showed tremendous fighting spirit to come from behind twice to earn a draw against Valentine last round, which included a 90th minute equaliser.
A Dino Fajkovic special was the sole difference between the two sides the last time they met, with Olympic winning 1-0.
Interim coach Alex Tagaroulias said his side would not take the Rosebuds lightly.
“We can’t underestimate Adamstown. I remember the last game, it was a battle and I know what they’re capable of as well,” Tagaroulias said.
“I’m hoping to see [my team] apply themselves as they have done the whole season. If they do that, we’re a good chance of getting the result we need.
“It’s now become all about the result, so we just have to give it our best effort. We’re getting some bodies back, so we’ve got some selection headaches coming up.”
Charlestown Azzurri v Broadmeadow Magic
Lisle Carr Oval – Sunday 2.30pm
Charlestown Azzurri will host Broadmeadow in a highly-anticipated Match of the Round between two in-form teams.
Charlestown sits just outside the top five in sixth and will view this game as a golden chance to earn a spot in the finals with two games to play.
It will be no easy task to beat Broadmeadow who have won their last three games and are well rested after the bye last round.
Magic have locked up second spot and are still alive in the premiership hunt, although only a victory will suffice to put them within two points of Edgeworth heading into the final round.
Broadmeadow’s last outing was a 3-2 win over Lake Macquarie while Azzurri beat Weston 1-0.
Magic also defeated Charlestown earlier in the year with a 3-1 victory although Broadmeadow coach Anthony Richards is wary of a different prospect this time around.
“They are the form side at the moment. They’ve got some terrific young players around some well-hardened senior players so it’s working well for them,” Richards said.
“There is still light at the end of the tunnel for us [in terms of winning the premiership]. We’ll have a go and we can’t die wondering so we’ll be doing our best to get three points this weekend.
“The bye come at a perfect time for us, we had some boys with injuries and we’ll get them back now which is great.”
Weston Workers v Lake Macquarie City
Rockwell Automation Park – Saturday 5.30pm
Weston will aim to keep their season alive when they take on Lake Macquarie at Rockwell Automation Park on Saturday.
The Bears have a slim chance of making the finals with Weston on 15 points, two points away from the five but this will be Weston’s last game of the regular season.
Only a win would keep Weston alive after the Bears were beaten 1-0 by Charlestown Azzurri last start in a demoralising result.
Lake Macquarie will look to finish the year on a high after a tough campaign with only one win to their name.
The Roosters were beaten 3-0 by Lambton last start and will be out to snap a seven-game losing streak.
Weston downed the Roosters 3-1 earlier in the season and will be aiming for a similar result on Saturday night.
Valentine FC v Maitland FC
CB Complex – Sunday 2.30pm
Valentine will take on Maitland at CB Complex with the Magpies gunning for another finals appearance.
Maitland defeated top of the table Edgeworth 2-1 last start with an incredible comeback in the dying stages to rise to third.
A win over Valentine for the Magpies would move them onto 22 points and significantly boost their chances of finishing in the top five, although Maitland have the bye next round.
Valentine still remain a mathematical chance to play finals football but will need to win their remaining games and hope teams above them falter.
The Phoenix were denied a win at the death by Adamstown last round leaving Adamstown Oval with a draw.
With both teams requiring the three points, expect an intense affair with plenty of action.
Newcastle Olympic can further cement its dominance over the Herald Women’s Premier League competition with a win over Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday which would see them move directly through to the grand final in a fortnight’s time at Adamstown Oval.
“As long as the girls can stay true to what we’ve worked on all year, that discipline, that patience, supporting each other and making sure everyone is just doing their job, I know and the girls know that we are way fitter than any other team,” Olympic coach Harmonie Attwill said.
“Anything can happen in final’s football. We’ve got to stay confident in our ability for that full 90 minutes.”
Olympic have been the competition’s trailblazers in season 2020, with the side officially laying hands on the premiership last weekend.
“After the weekend, it was a massive celebration for the girls and the club. The minor premiership wasn’t our focus but we were consistent throughout the year,” Attwill said.
“For the girls I really encouraged them to enjoy the achievement. They’ve been so consistent and have a never give up attitude.”
Stacey Day returned to the park on Sunday after suffering a knee injury earlier in the year, with a final decision on her inclusion in the side for the major semi-final to be made later in the week.
“At this point she’s had two training sessions and probably 20 minutes worth of game time, so I think it’s probably too early to decide. What’s best for her will be the decision we make,” Attwill said.
According to Attwill, her side will need to be clinical across the park if they are to knock over Magic and move directly through to the decider. The loser of Sunday’s game will play the winner of the minor semi-final.
“You can’t go past our defensive backline, Sophie O’brien, Danielle Nicol… in the midfield we’ve got Laura Hall, Keely Gawthrop and then up high we’ve got Jemma House,” she said.
“In terms of the quality across the park they’re all leaders by example and they love the challenge.”
Both the minor and major semi-finals will kick off at the same time of 3pm, with the Olympic-Magic clash to be played on the grass surface outside the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Field 3. Merewether will play Warners Bay on the synthetic No.1 pitch.
“Everyone’s excited about the weekend. I think everyone worries a little bit about stuff that’s out of your control,” Magic coach Jake Curley said.
“Our strategy doesn’t really change depending on who we play, we try and play the same way every time and most of the time it works for us.
“I think if you change your methodology then it creates too much confusion.”
Curley identified Kalista Hunter, Gemma Harrison and Kobie Ferguson as the women to watch against Olympic, with the Magic mentor full of praise for 21-year-old Ferguson.
“I think if those three play well it will go a long way to us winning. With Kobie I’ve coached some really good number 6s and she is by far my favourite number 6,” he said.
Curley said maintaining possession, keeping good defensive shape and people making the right decisions would decide whether his side moved directly through to the grand final.
WPL Semi-Finals are being held on Sunday October 4th at LMRFF at Speers Point and Newcastle Olympic is the only club to be represented by a team in all four age groups!
First Grade:
Newcastle Olympic vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off at 3:00PM
Reserve Grade:
Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 1:00PM
U17s:
Newcastle Olympic vs Merewether kick off at 11:00AM
U14s:
Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 9:00AM
HERALD WPL: Newcastle Olympic took on New Lambton at Darling St Oval on the final round of the season and won in all four age groups. First and Reserve Grade took out the minor Premierships with u17s finishing equal first on points but missing out on goal difference!. U14s claimed 3rd spot on their points table enabling all four teams to march into the finals. Newcastle Olympic is the only club with four representations in the finals and needless to say, have also collected the Herald WPL Club Champions title. Congratulations to everyone and good luck in the finals.
Newcastle Olympic vs New Lambton 1st Grade Olympic won 8-0 Goals: Jemma House 4, Georgia Amess 2, Keely Gawlthrope, Brooke Summers.
Reserve Grade Olympic won 2-0 Under 17s Olympic won 3-0 Under 14s Olympic won 3-1
NPL SENIORS: NPL First and Reserve Grades were on a bye and did not play this weekend. U18s played away to Broadmeadow Magic and came away with a 1-1 draw.
NPL YOUTH: Round 16 of the 2020 NNSW NPL season was played at Darling St Oval between Newcastle Olympic and Lake Macquarie. All four Olympic teams won their matches in high scoring games. The u14s team which is currently 1st place on their respective points table, 14 wins in 14 matches (2 further scheduled games were not played due to COVID-19), reached 99 goals scored for the season! This is the highest number of goals scored by any NPL team in NNSW of any age group! They also hold the record of the lowest conceded, only 3 goals so far! Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff and good luck in the remaining 6 games of the season.
Newcastle Olympic vs Lake Macquarie Under 16s Olympic won 9-0 Under 15s Olympic won 8-1 Under 14s Olympic won 11-0 Under 13s Olympic won 14-1
ZONE LEAGUE: Newcastle Olympic zone teams took on Wallsend FC in Round 13 of the competition at Islington Park and had two draws. All at the club wish Aaron Zissis a speedy recovery after suffering a serious leg injury during the First Grade fixture.
Olympic vs Wallsend 1st Grade match abandoned in 2nd half 1-1 Reserve Grade drew 3-3
Over 35s: Newcastle Olympic O35s were away to Kahibah on Friday night and came away with a 0-0 draw.
SAP/NET: U9s, U10s, and U11s SAP teams played at LMRFF against Broadmeadow Magic and Mid Coast this weekend and once again put in great performances.
U12s NET took on Charlestown Azzuri at Islington Oval and came away with a convincing 7-0 win!
Community Juniors: Newcastle Community juniors played Round 13 of the season on Saturday at Darling St and Kurraka Ovals against Merewether, Kotara South, Maryland Fletcher and Merewether. All our young Olympians played well and advanced another step in the football journey.
George Tsamouras Football Journey 