George Tsamouras Football Journey

Outstanding goalkeeping by Lake Macquarie player Ben Kelly and some poor finishing by Olympic’s attack resulted in a 1-1 stalemate at Darling St Oval in round 10 of the NPL competition.

Olympic took control of the game from the outset in frosty cold conditions and looked as if it was only a matter of time before they would take the lead.

Kane Goodchild was put through with only the keeper to beat and despite Ben Kelly slipping and falling, he managed to fire his shot into the body of the Lake Macquarie goalkeeper!

A few moments later Scott Smith crossed from the left, the ball found Kane Goodchild who, with only the goalkeeper to beat, blasted his shot slightly wide.

In the first counter attack by Lake Macquarie, Blake Green receives a cross and has no problem firing into an empty net to put the visitors 1-0 up within the first 17 minutes.

Despite this setback Olympic continued to dominate possession and continued to press forward. A great corner struck by Scott Smith was curling into the far top corner when Ben Kelly floated into the air and tipped over for a corner.

Shortly before half time the Olympic faithful were on their feet when Kane Goodchild fired a shot which cannoned off the body of Ben Kelly, crashed onto the crossbar, came back into play and players of both teams scrambled for a shot at goal or a clearance!

Despite this, 0-1 remained and Olympic left the field for the half time break.

The domination of possession continued in the second half by the home team who were desperately seeking the equaliser and a Lake Macquarie team happy to be simply be behind the ball and look for counter-attacks.

A great cross by Tom Davies from the right finds the head of Kane Goodchild who, with only the keeper to beat, heads slightly over the crossbar.

Another cross finds Kane Goodchild who fires a great shot on target but on this occasion he is denied by a great save by Ben Kelly.

After a sustained attack by Olympic, the ball was cut back into the path of Grant Brown who riffled a long range shot from outside the box to bring the score back to 1-1 four minutes from normal time!

Olympic dominated possession throughout the game and had close to a dozen clear cut chances to score. In part, poor finishing and in part, an outstanding Ben Kelly is what contributed to both teams sharing the points.

Under 20s Olympic won 6-0
Under 18s Olympic won 2-1

NPL Youth
Olympic vs Lake Macquarie
Under 16s Olympic won 2-0
Under 15s Olympic won 4-3
Under 14s Olympic won 4-0
Under 13s Olympic won 4-0

Zone League 2
Merewether Advance FC vs Olympic
1st Grade Olympic won 2-0
2nd Grade Olympic won 4-0

NET results
Under 10s Olympic defeated Magic 7-1
Under 11s Olympic
Under 12s Olympic defeated Charlestown 6-1

Olympic Junior Results
Under 16a Olympic
Under 15a Olympic defeated by Kotara South 1-2
Under 13a Olympic defeated by New Lambton 2-3
Under 12b Olympic defeated Singleton 2-1

Under 9/1 Olympic defeated Kotara
Under 9/2 Olympic
Under 8/1 Olympic defeated Nelson Bay
Under 8/2 Olympic defeated Mayfield
Under 7/1 Olympic
Under 6/1 Olympic defeated by Maryland
Under 6/2 Olympic
Under 6/3 Olympic

source: Tom Tsamouras

Hamilton Olympic v Lake Macquarie City Roosters
2.30pm Sunday 14^th May at Darling Street Oval

Last Meeting: Round 12, 2014: Lake Macquarie 5 Hamilton 1 at Macquarie Field.

Ladder: Hamilton 5^th (14), Lakes 6^th (12)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Hamilton – Drew Phoenix 1-1 (a), Won Bears 2-0 (h), Drew Eagles 1-1 (a)

Lakes – Drew Jets 3-3 (h), Lost Magpies 0-1 (a), Won Rosebud 2-1 (a) 

Bottom Line

Hamilton will be keen to get themselves back into the winner’s circle this weekend after a three-week period where they haven’t been firing on all cylinders.

They were brilliant in their round four catch-up match against Maitland three weeks ago, but, since then they have only won once in three matches on route to slipping out of the top four.

If the last three weeks is the worst Olympic will play all season, that will please Mick Bolch. They haven’t lost, and still have Rhys Cooper, Andrew Swan and Danny Ireland to welcome back to the side in the coming weeks.

Lake Macquarie too has stuttered recently after flying out of the blocks at the start of the season, however, coach Anthony Richards says his side much prefers to be the underdogs.

Against the Jets Youth, they started well, before fading in the second half and ultimately giving up the three points in the final ten minutes as the Jets Youth drew level.

Lakes don’t have a great recent record against Olympic even though they won in their last meeting. Hamilton have won four of the last six, with Lakes winning one, along with a solitary draw during that period.

Lakes have also not won at Darling Street since August 2008.

Kyle Hodges (toe) will be assessed before the weekend’s match after returning last week against former club Valentine. Danny Ireland, Rhys Cooper and Andrew Swan will remain out for Olympic.

What the Coaches Said:

Michael Bolch (Hamilton)

“Sam Walker is obviously a danger man up front, he’s leading goalscorer in the comp at the moment. Blake Green has been doing well for them, Tommy Walker has been doing well for them. They are a similar side to Valentine, they do well on the counter-attack. They work hard across the park, so we’ll need to be on our game.”

“We are not where we need to be. If you break it down in our last four games we have had two wins and two draws, so even though we are not playing brilliantly at the moment we are still picking up points and it’ll come. It’s just around the corner, the boys are working hard. We still have improvement in us.”

Anthony Richards (Lakes)

“I think we’d rather play these games, to be honest. These are the games that we like looking forward to, the big games where there is no real pressure on us. People sort of expected us to beat the Jets, yet, they are still a handy little side and well coached. These are the better games for us against the Olympics and Edgys [Edgeworth], where we go in as the complete underdog and that’s where we like to be.”

“Starsky and Hutch [Kane Goodchild and Scott Smith] up front they are pretty good those two boys, the two coppers. Or is it Jon and Ponch, out of CHiPs? They are good all over the park and they have been for a long time. Olympic has done really well to keep a core of players together and that is the secret.”

Key: Kane Goodchild and Scott Smith. Combined they have scored eight this season. Six of those have come at Darling Street. Can they strike again at home?

U20s Hamilton Olympic vs Lake Macquarie Sunday 14^th May 12.30 pm kick off at Darling St Oval

U18s Hamilton Olympic vs Lake Macquarie Sunday 14^th May 10.45 am kick off at Darling St Oval

NPL YOUTH:

U16S Lake Macquarie vs Hamilton Olympic Sunday 14^th May 2:30 pm  kick off at Macquarie Field

U15S Lake Macquarie vs Hamilton Olympic Sunday 14^th May 1:00 pm  kick off at Macquarie Field

U14S Lake Macquarie vs Hamilton Olympic Sunday 14^th May 11:30 am  kick off at Macquarie Field

U13S Lake Macquarie vs Hamilton Olympic Sunday 14^th May 10:00 am  kick off at Macquarie Field

IN OTHER GAMES:
Edgeworth Eagles v Valentine Phoenix
2.30pm Sunday 14^th May at Jack McLaughlan Oval

Last Meeting: Round 15, 2016: Edgeworth 4 Valentine 2 at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

Ladder: Edgeworth 4^th (15pts), Valentine 3^rd (16)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Edgeworth – Won Bears 2-1 (a), Won Blues 2-0 (h), Won Jets 1-0 (a)

Valentine – Drew Olympic 1-1 (h), Won Jets 1-0 (a), Won Magpies 4-0 (a)

 Bottom Line

Two of the form sides of the competition meet this weekend in the ‘Match of the Round’ with both undefeated in their last five matches.

After a sluggish start to the season, Edgeworth has responded over the last three weeks with three wins which have seen them soar inside the top four. They now sit just a point behind the third-placed Phoenix and just two points off the first-placed Lambton Jaffas.

A side that seemed to be cracking under pressure against Hamilton in round seven when veteran Daniel McBreen was sent off and coach Damian Zane almost followed him, they have responded in a way that will surprise no one who has witnessed their performances over the last two seasons.

But, after all the improvement of the last three weeks, they can’t afford a defeat against Valentine. A loss against the Phoenix will make the premiership race more difficult, considering they will have to reel in a star-studded Lambton line-up.

Their opponents Valentine have been the real surprise packet of the PlayStation® 4 NPL NNSW comp this season, and coach Darren Sills has discovered the right formula in 2017 for his side to flourish.

American import Jalon Brown has excelled, however, the weekend against Hamilton he didn’t have his best outing, missing several one-on-one chances which could have wrapped up the contest for the Phoenix. Expect him to return to form this weekend.

Valentine has lost their last six against the Eagles, and haven’t taken three points from a match against Edgeworth since 2011. Those statistics shouldn’t matter as this Phoenix side has the firepower up front and defensive steel to take it to Edgeworth on Sunday.

Bren Hammel (cork) is in doubt for the Premiers while Matt Paul (triathlon) is back for Valentine.

What the Coaches Said:

Damian Zane (Edgeworth)

“I think we’ve got the central defenders to make sure we take care of Jalon Brown and I think we match up fairly well. They have really impressed me defensively. I rate Reece Pettit and I do rate this year Zac Sneddon, he’s been very good. I always thought he was a decent player, but this year he’s impressed. Where he is playing, they’ve got a really good combination. That’s exciting for them.”

“This is where if you’ve got your starting 11 [the Cup match on Wednesday] possibly [creates a depth issue]. But, for me for your Adam Cawleys and Aden Gardners, this might be their chance to stake a claim and I sort of use it as ‘if you do well here you might in this next big game be in the starting team.’ That’s why I think rotating your squad is [beneficial]. You bring in guys and they are  hungry as hell.”

Darren Sills (Valentine)

“We’ve got nothing to lose. They are the Champions, they have won it two years in a row. Final 16 of the FFA Cup. They have got quality players, like [Daniel] McBreen in the bank. I thought we did fairly well against Olympic and trained really well this week. We’ve got no pressure on us, and I don’t think they have either as they are travelling alright so it should be a good game of footy.”

“The boys are happy and there is a little bit of self-belief there now. We had 5-0 against Olympic last year and came out and played really well [on the weekend]. It was 4-0 at this time last year against Edgy [Edgeworth] so if you draw a parallel and draw a line through that I’m very confident we are going to hold ourselves and hold our heads high.”

Key: It’s all in the mind. Valentine has shown their ability to match it with the top guns this season. Can they continue to do so against the Eagles?

Newcastle Jets Youth v Broadmeadow Magic
2.30pm Saturday 13^th May at Magic Park

Last Meeting: Round 17, 2016: Hamilton 2 Valentine 2 at Darling Street Oval.

Ladder: Broadmeadow 8^th (9), Jets Youth 11^th (3)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Jets – Drew Roosters 3-3 (a), Lost Phoenix 0-1 (a), Lost Eagles 0-1 (h)

Broadmeadow – Lost Magpies 0-7 (h), Drew Rosebuds 0-0 (a), Drew Jaffas 1-1 (a)

Bottom Line

Many are still trying to come to terms with what quite happened on Sunday afternoon to Broadmeadow Magic. A match that most expected would be a tough, low-scoring and hard-fought contest quickly turned pear-shaped.

Maitland were imperious on Sunday, and led by the calming Matt Thompson in midfielder they were simply unstoppable. Some days in sport the opposition is just too good and Maitland was just that on Sunday.

What really has been missing for Magic lately is their ability to score from open play and even score in general. In the league, they have gone seven hours without a goal in open play, and more than three hours without a goal at all.

Their opponents the Jets Youth haven’t had the same issues scoring, it has been in defence where they have continued to leak goals. They have conceded 23 in eight games at almost three a game, and statistics will tell you it is very difficult to win matches with that kind of defence.

While they have conceded plenty, the heart, desire and never-say-die attitude is one which should be commended.

Twice is the two weeks they have been down going into the final five minutes and twice they have found an equaliser to share the points. Clayton Zane will be hoping they can go one better this weekend – score late to win – and they have shown they can do it.

What the Coaches Said: 

Clayton Zane (Jets Youth)

“I think we’ll be facing a difficult opponent after that loss. I’ve seen they had a player sent off and that has a massive impact, I’m sure it wasn’t a 7-0 game and when a player gets sent off in the 19^th minute that would impact any team. If they win one or two games they are right back in the mix so we expect them to be wounded and come out like a raging bull.”

“They’ll have a lot to prove this weekend so for us, it’s probably the worst time to play them after they come off the back of a loss like that. They are a good team, they’ve got good players in their team. Everyone knows they are a top four team so that’s what we will be expecting to play against this weekend.” 

Key: Goals. Broadmeadow is in need of some in the league. They have scored just once in seven hours of play.

Weston Workers Bears v Charlestown City Blues
2.30pm Sunday 14^th May at Rockwell Automation Park

Last Meeting: Round 15, 2016: Weston 2 Charlestown 3 at Rockwell Automation Park.

Ladder: Weston 9^th (4), Charlestown 7^th (11)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Weston – Lost Eagles 1-2 (h), Lost Olympic 0-2 (a), Lost Magpies 0-1 (a)

Charlestown – Drew Rosebud 2-2 (h), Lost Eagles 0-2 (a), Lost Jaffas 1-2 (h)

Bottom Line

With Daniel Laiman (knee), Matt Tull (quad), Josh Maguire (groin) and Jarryd Johnson (hamstring) Charlestown have ticked just about every box for injuries to the lower half of the body.

Once again, their young brigade with be called on to step up again against another youthful outfit in Weston.

With regular starters missing on the weekend, Charlestown fought hard against Adamstown in what was described as a scrappy match at Lisle Carr Oval. The young Blues went within minutes of claiming all three points in a positive result for the future.

Charlestown may not have claimed a victory in their last three matches, but they have performed admirably with a tight loss to the table-topping Jaffas, followed by a tight loss to Edgeworth and followed by the draw with Adamstown.

However, if they want to keep touch with the top four, a win is a must for the Blues this weekend.

Weston had a positive start to the season, undefeated in four of their opening five matches, but, the last three weeks has seen three league losses, along with their victory in the Westfield FFA Cup against Cooks Hill.

They don’t seem to be far off a victory, pushing Edgeworth all the way on the weekend, and Hamilton the week before.

Their defending in key moments has hurt them along with their inability to finish off chances and Steve Piggott will be looking for his side to take another step in the right direction this weekend.

What the Coaches Said: 

Steve Piggott (Weston)

“There are no easy games for us, we haven’t got any wins so not too many changes. We have just got to put together 90 minutes of real good stuff and as least amount of mistakes as we can that don’t cost us.

“We probably in the last 15 to 20 minutes we just couldn’t keep the ball against Edgeworth. We were tired and the midweek game caught up with us, there is no doubt about that. We have got another one next week when we play Maitland. The FFA Cup is having a little bit of an impact on the squad and we’ll have to see what we can do this to try and take that impact away. Our main focus at the minute is Charlestown this weekend and try and get three points.”

Shane Pryce (Charlestown)

“I just think they don’t deserve to be where they are on the table. I think that they have been in a lot of matches and it just hasn’t gone their way. Beware the team that hasn’t had a win, they are probably looking forward to play us to try and get one.”

“With 30 minutes to go in the FFA Cup against the Jaffas, I had two senior players from my starting 11 on the field only and Jaffas scored two late goals so we found out that some young guys can step up against a full strength Jaffas side. There was a couple of guys who made their debut against Adamstown and they can hold their head up high as well.”

Key: Playing for 90 minutes. Steve Piggott has stressed it to his squad. Can the Bears put it together on Sunday?

Maitland FC v Lambton Jaffas
2.30pm Sunday 14^th May at Cooks Square Park

Last Meeting: Round 15, 2016: Lambton 1 Maitland 4 at Arthur Edden Oval.

Ladder: Maitland 2^nd (16), Lambton 1^st (17)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Maitland – Won Magic 7-0 (a), Won Roosters 1-0 (h), Won Bears 1-0 (h)

Lambton – Won Rosebud 3-1 (a), Won Blues 2-1 (a), Drew Magic 1-1 (h)

Bottom Line

A top of the table clash worthy of ‘Match of the Round’ billing this match could prove crucial in the race to the premiership. It’s a six-point match and if one side can claim all three points it will put them in the box seat come to the halfway point of the season.

There is little more to say about the Magpies than they were brilliant on the weekend. Matt Thompson was the conductor and combined with Josh Dutton-Black on the left edge and Ryan Clarke on the right, Maitland were an unstoppable force.

They were the lowest scoring side coming into the match, so to score seven goals was a surprise in a fixture many thought would be tight. They now boast the second-best attack in the competition, while their defence is the third-best after eight matches.

Lambton will be fresh after the bye and it will be interesting to see whether the week off has given them a chance to get over some bumps and bruises from the opening two months or whether they may come out a little rusty.

The signing of Ryan Griffiths during the week is sure to be a boost, and with leading goal-scorer Pat Brown returning to full fitness, along with veteran Joel Griffiths, there will be plenty of competition for spots in the front third when the youngest of the Griffiths brothers arrives.

Lambton hasn’t lost in four matches and while they were defeated in their last meeting with Maitland, they are undefeated in three of the last four against the Magpies.

Shane Cansdell-Sheriff (calf) and Matt Comerford (ankle) are in doubt for Maitland, while Pat Brown (knee) and Joel Griffiths (hip flexor) are a chance to return on Sunday.

What the Coaches Said: 

Phil Dando (Maitland)

“We just sort of got on with the job and put that [7-0 win on the weekend] to one side. It was the same as the Valentine game where we got beat 4-0, we didn’t say an awful lot and just went ‘right that was one of those days, we move on’ and get on with the job. Last week was the reverse and we did well and we still have got to get on with the job. We haven’t won anything yet and there’s no cups given out or trophies given out for last week’s win.”

“It’s not rocket science and the game hasn’t changed in 150 years that it has been played. You’ve got to be able to pass the ball well and you’ve got to be able to control it and be prepared to move into a position to receive it again. That’s what we are just hammering through to the guys – hard work will beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard and we’ve got a fair bit of talent and they work hard so we are a difficult team to beat.”

James Pascoe (Lambton)

“I went and watched [last weekend] and I think they are a good solid side. Anything you get from them you are going to have to earn it. I think if anything, their away record looks a little bit better than their home record at the minute so that might lend itself a little but to what I saw on the weekend. They look like they try to counter-attack mostly and I think that is easier to do on the smaller tighter grounds. Cooks Square Park for me is quite a big open ground so it will be interesting to see if they do the same thing tactically up there.”

“[The wind] won’t affect us too much. We’ve got the scope to either be expansive if the conditions are really good or if we need to be a little compact we can do that. That is with and without the ball. It’s usually the first thing I write on the whiteboard every week pre-match, that we have got to play the conditions, so we will keep an eye out for it as we get up there and see what it is like and adjust accordingly.”

Key: How will Lambton respond after the week off? Will they be fresher and faster or will they be a bit rusty to start the match?

source: sportstg.com

Hamilton Olympic have drawn Edgeworth Eagles next Wednesday night at 7.30 at Darling St Oval.

Adamstown may call on Michael Williams to play against former club Lambton Jaffas – just two weeks after he switched camps – in the FFA Cup on May 17.

Rosebud landed one of the toughest assignments of round five of the Northern NSW southern conference when they drew Jaffas away on Tuesday. Hamilton host Edgeworth in the round’s biggest clash, while Maitland welcome Weston in the other all-NPL game. Second-tier club New Lambton will host under-pressure NPL club Broadmeadow, who lost 7-0 to Maitland on Sunday.

Valentine, who had the bye last round, had another favourable draw and are away to Zone Premier League (third-tier) frontrunners, Newcastle Suns. The remaining NPL club, Lake Macquarie, will welcome interdistrict club Cardiff City.

Adamstown coach Peter McGuinness said Williams, who is not cup-tied, started training with Rosebud on Tuesday night and was therefore unlikely to feature against Jaffas. However, he may come in because Adamstown have a host of injuries.

Rosebud, who enjoy a welcomed bye this weekend, have Ryan Ensor, Mitch Hunter, Alex Read and Jordan Harrison in doubt for the FFA Cup game.

source:theherald.com

In a disappointing game at Cahill Oval Hamilton Olympic were held to a 1-1 draw by Valentine Phoenix.

A poor back pass by the Olympic defense enabled Jolon Brown to sneak in and put the home team 1-0 ahead within the first 10 minutes.

The remainder of the half and most of the match was a midfield battle with neither side creating any clear cut chance in front of goal.

It was only in the last 10 minutes of the match that Olympic stepped up the intensity and began opening up the Valentine defense.

Kane Goodchild won a free kick on the right and the ensuing cross did not find any player’s head but instead fell perfectly in the stride of Grant Brown who had no problem bringing the game to 1-1, four minutes from time.

This was followed by two great chances by Mussa Kamara and Matthew Swan to secure all three points but it wasn’t to be!

U20s Valentine – Hamilton Olympic 1-5

U18s Valentine – Hamilton Olympic 0-3

NPL YOUTH ROUND 8:

U16s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 7-0

U15s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 9-1

U14s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 2-0

U13s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 7-0

Zone League 2
Olympic vs Maryland Fletcher
1st Grade Olympic won 2-0
2nd Grade Olympic won 2-1

NET results
Under 10s Olympic
Under 11s Olympic defeated by Adamstown 0-4
Under 12s Olympic defeated Kahibah 10-0

Olympic Junior Results
Under 16a Olympic defeated Maitland 4-0
Under 15a Olympic defeated by Magic 1-4
Under 13a Olympic defeated Sth Cardiff 3-1
Under 12b Olympic defeated Adamstown 2-0

Under 9/1 Olympic defeated New Lambton
Under 9/2 Olympic
Under 8/1 Olympic
Under 8/2 Olympic defeated South Wallsend
Under 7/1 Olympic
Under 6/1 Olympic defeated New Lambton
Under 6/2 Olympic defeated New Lambton
Under 6/3 Olympic

source:Tom Tsamouras

 

Valentine Phoenix v Hamilton Olympic

2.30pm Saturday 6^th May at Cahill Oval

Last Meeting: Round 17, 2016: Hamilton 2 Valentine 2 at Darling Street Oval.

Ladder: Valentine 2^nd (15), Hamilton 3^rd (13)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Valentine – Won Jets 1-0 (a), Won Magpies 4-0 (a), Won Rosebud 2-0 (a)

Hamilton – Won Bears 2-0 (h), Drew Eagles 1-1 (a), Won Magpies 2-0 (a)

Bottom Line

Hamilton coach Michael Bolch returns to his former stomping ground at Cahill Oval and will hold good memories of the ground having not lost there as an Olympic coach since 2011.

His side has returned to form in recent weeks, after a disappointing showing against Charlestown in round six, Olympic are undefeated in three matches and have surged into the top four.

They did it the hard way against Weston, with a gritty first-half display before coming home strong in the second half. As it was in 2016, defence has been the bedrock of their return to form. Hamilton has conceded just once in three matches and that was from the penalty spot.

Olympic has held the wood over the Phoenix of late, winning four of their last five. Valentine’s last victory over Hamilton doubled as Bolch’s last loss at Cahill Oval back in 2011.

However, the Phoenix are a different proposition this season, scoring an average of two goals a game and conceding just over one a game. It has been the last three matches where Valentine has been impregnable at the back, keeping three clean sheets in a row.

Leading goal-scorer Jalon Brown has been a revelation – scoring three so far – and proving to be a constant menace for opposing defences.

These two sides have shown they can score goals and keep them out, so it should be a fascinating contest.

Valentine will be without Matt Paul (triathlon) this weekend, but, Wilson Edwards (away) and Chris Brown (away) will return to the side this weekend. Rhys Cooper (knee) remains on the sidelines for Olympic as does Captain Kyle Hodges (toe).

What the Coaches Said:

Darren Sills (Valentine)

“It’s going to be a difficult one. We were fairly sore and sorry after the weekend so we didn’t train very hard at all on Tuesday night, we had a light session. There are a few sore and sorry bodies from the weekend. It’s going to be difficult but we’d rather play them after winning a few in a row than not, so hopefully fingers crossed we perform to the best of our ability and that’s all we can ask of the players.”

“It’s very important [to start well]. They’ve had the midweek game as well. Although they may have rested a few players it’s important that we get away to a good start. This team were undefeated last year coming into the semi-finals, so these are the sort of teams you want to play against. They’re the benchmark. I watched them play the week before on the Wednesday night up against Maitland and I thought they were really good.”

Michael Bolch (Hamilton)

“They look pretty solid all the way across the park, they kept their third clean sheet in a row so they are doing really well defensively. They work really hard as a unit, Sillsy has got them working really hard for each other. Coming to terms with that pitch will probably be the biggest factor on the day, to be honest with you.”

“It’s not so much what we’ve got to exploit from them. We just need to be more clinical in the front third. We are creating so many chances in games, we probably created 10-12 chances [last weekend]. We’ve just got to be more clinical in the front third.”

Key: Belief. Valentine lost their last two matches at Cahill Oval against Olympic 5-0 and 3-0. After a strong start to the season, do they have the belief to overcome a poor recent record?

U20s Valentine – Hamilton Olympic Cahill Oval Saturday 6^th May kick off 12.30

U18s Valentine – Hamilton Olympic Cahill Oval Saturday 6^th May kick off 10.45

NPL YOUTH ROUND 8:

U16s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland Sunday kick off 2.30 pm at Darling St Oval

U15s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland Sunday kick off 1.00 pm at Darling St Oval

U14s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland Sunday kick off 11.30 am at Darling St Oval

U13s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland Sunday kick off 10.00 am at Darling St Oval

IN OTHER GAMES:

Broadmeadow Magic v Maitland Magpies

2.30pm Sunday 7^th May at Magic Park

Last Meeting: Round 18, 2016: Maitland 0 Broadmeadow 2 at Cooks Square Park.

Ladder: Broadmeadow 8^th (9pts), Maitland 4^th (13)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Broadmeadow – Drew Rosebuds 0-0 (a), Drew Jaffas 1-1 (a), Lost Blues 0-1 (a)

Maitland – Won Roosters 1-0 (h), Won Bears 1-0 (h), Lost Phoenix 0-4 (h)

Bottom Line

Ruben Zadkovich will be hoping his side’s performance writes the headlines this weekend and not his comments after the Broadmeadow boss’ controversial thoughts marred the post-script of a tense ANZAC Day tussle.

Broadmeadow will be aiming to bounce back after a dour draw against the Rosebud’s where they struggled to create chances in the second 45. In the first half against Adamstown and the week before against Lambton, Ruben Zadkovich’s side created chances but were unable to finish.

While they have created chances, finishing has been an issue, with Magic scoring just once in their last three matches – a penalty against Lambton. Of their eight goals this season, just five have come from open play.

After a pair of disappointing results, Maitland has returned to form in the last week with two tight 1-0 wins against Weston and Lake Macquarie which has seen them squeeze their way into the top four.

After a busy start to the season – where they played seven matches in 26 days – Maitland will probably give themselves a pass mark.

A congested schedule, injuries, and players missing matches due to work commitments has made life difficult for the Magpies, 13 points and sitting just four points from the top spot with a game in hand will keen coach Phil Dando happy.

In a positive for the spectacle, both sides head into the match at full strength. Expect a tight contest, with only a goal in it. Broadmeadow will be desperate as a loss will see them slip further from the top four.

What the Coaches Said:

Ruben Zadkovich (Broadmeadow)

“It’s been the same problem all season, we just need to take our chances. We are certainly creating plenty and we are very hard to beat at the moment. We haven’t really conceded many goals from open play. It’s just about the boys taking their chances, but we are playing some really good stuff and obviously, Maitland are as well, so it should be a cracker of a game.”

“When we stick to the way we want to play we look deadly, we look really, really dangerous. It’s just the longer it goes without taking those chances the more frustrated people get so I think that really kicked in on ANZAC Day. It’s just the frustration from the boys that they are playing against 11 men camped in their own half and the fact that we hadn’t scored it just got harder and harder.”

Phil Dando (Maitland)

“They’ve had an indifferent start to the season. They haven’t quite hit their straps yet. By the sounds of it, Ruben was a bit disappointed with the way they played the other week. He’ll probably have done a fair bit of work on the training pitch, and they’ll come at us all guns blazing I would imagine. They will want to put things right so we’ll have to be at our best.”

“We had a training session on ANZAC Day in the morning and we did our only session on defending in that session and since then we have kept two clean sheets. It’s just little things that needed rectifying and people just needed to concentrate a bit better. I think that’s what let us down a little bit, the tiredness when we played Valentine, everything went out the window then. [The last two matches] have been very pleasing].”

Key: The front third. With the two lowest scoring sides this season meeting, which side can get their front third firing?

  

Weston Workers Bears v Edgeworth Eagles

2.30pm Sunday 7^th May at Rockwell Automation Park

Last Meeting: Round 11, 2016: Weston 0 Edgeworth 3 at Rockwell Automation Park.

Ladder: Edgeworth 5^th (12), Weston 9^th (4)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Weston – Lost Olympic 0-2 (a), Lost Magpies 0-1 (a), Drew Jets 2-2 (a)

Edgeworth – Won Blues 2-0 (h), Won Jets 1-0 (a), Drew Olympic 1-1 (h)

Bottom Line

After a promising start to the season where they lost just one of their opening five matches, Weston have lost their last two and sit just two points from the bottom of the ladder.

A tight loss to an understrength Maitland side, followed by a strong performance against Hamilton only to be let down by two individual errors has left the Bears in a difficult spot as they get ready to host an Edgeworth side who has returned to form over the last two weeks.

Weston haven’t scored in two matches now, and facing the best defence in the competition won’t make it any easier for the Bears attack.

Kieran Sanders and Brody Taylor struck two stunning strikes on the weekend to get them home against the Blues, and couple that result with the win over the Jets and it seems the Eagles are returning to their 2016 form.

They have won their last three matches against Weston, and haven’t lost against the Bears since 2015 where a gritty and determined Weston side rolled up their sleeves and ground out a 1-0 victory at Rockwell Automation Park.

If the young Bears are able to channel that determination on Sunday, Edgeworth could be in for a real test. But, to beat Edgeworth, they will need to score because under Zane the Eagles have been kept scoreless just once in their last 29 Playstation®4 NPL matches.

Daniel McBreen’s suspension is over, but he will miss them match due to Fox Sports commitments with the Hyundai A-League Grand Final. Adam Cawley (illness) will return to the side.

What the Coaches Said:

Steve Piggott (Weston)

“Each week they are shattered when they don’t get a result, don’t get me wrong, they are shattered because they have worked hard. No one has thumped them. I thought we may have got a thumping or two, but they have stood up and they have worked hard and they have been in every match and they probably could have got more out of the weekend’s match if they worked out a way to score a goal.”

“I think overall the group has improved tactically, they are more tactically aware than, ten weeks ago. They have worked hard at the things I have asked them to do and they have executed the game plans to about 80% of their capacity. It’s finding that little bit more and the one percent things that I challenge them to do each week and improve on. Once they click this team will be a fair team.”

Damian Zane (Edgeworth)

“We played them in a trial game and then the heritage cup and there was massive improvements from one game to the next which was what I expected with Piggo [Steve Piggott] as coach. Everyone was sort of saying Weston would be down the bottom and the whipping boys and they might be down the bottom but they have been competitive in every game. I expect them to come out and try and stop us from doing what we do.”

“They’ve got some good players in there too to be honest. I think [Max] Foster and [Jake] Millsteed are pretty handy in midfield and Jamie Byrnes is as dangerous as anyone on his day in my opinion. The young [Cooper] Buswell, we’ve got a few Central Coast people in our club and they rate him pretty highly, and the young boy [James] Thompson. If we don’t turn up, it’s like every game, we won’t win.”

Key: Will a confidence boosting from the Westfield FFA Cup win on Wednesday spur the Bears to victory on Sunday?

 

Charlestown City Blues v Adamstown Rosebud

2.30pm Sunday 7^th May at Lisle Carr Oval

Last Meeting: Round 13, 2016: Adamstown 1 Charlestown 3 at Adamstown Oval.

Ladder: Charlestown 7^th (10), Adamstown 10^th (3)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Charlestown – Lost Eagles 0-2 (a), Lost Jaffas 1-2 (h), Won Olympic 2-1 (a)

Adamstown – Lost Jaffas 1-3 (h), Drew Magic 0-0 (h), Lost Roosters 1-2 (h)

Bottom Line

It’s been a long time between away matches for Adamstown, and this weekend they will hit the road for the first time in a month to travel to Charlestown to take on the Blues.

After hitting rock bottom, with the defeat to Lake Macquarie in round six Adamstown have responded well with improved performances against Broadmeadow and then at the weekend against Lambton.

Up against the ladder leading Jaffas many expected Lambton to get the job done easily on Sunday afternoon, but, it wasn’t to be with Chris Berlin bridging the deficit to just a goal in the second half and the Rosebuds as they clawed their way back.

Unfortunately for the Rosebud’s they couldn’t find the equaliser and Joel Griffiths put them out of reach late on in stoppage time.

Charlestown were flying high a little over two weeks ago with wins against Broadmeadow and Hamilton coming in quick succession.

Losses to Lambton and Edgeworth in recent times have brought them back down to earth but it shouldn’t be a worry for Shane Pryce’s men, having given a solid account of themselves against two of the strongest sides in the competition.

This match though is one Pryce will want to win and will provide a good indication as to whether victories over Olympic and Magic were a flash in the pan. A win here for the Blues and they will keep pace with the top four.

What the Coaches Said:

Pete McGuinness (Adamstown)

“The Lakes game I thought we had enough ball to win two games and just didn’t win the game which was pretty poor on our behalf. The Magic game was a bit of a shift in tactics and how we played and I was happy with how we defended which was good. On the weekend, we opened up a bit and tried to win the ball higher up the pitch. It’s been an improvement, they are working hard and that’s a big positive.”

“They’ve been doing quite well so I’m expecting a pretty difficult game. To be honest I think they have got a couple of good midfielders in Josh Maguire and Matt Tull, very experienced. Then there’s Daniel Laiman, he’s always a force coming from deep areas. [Rene Ferguson] has been getting some goals, he scored goals last year and he’s got a few this year.”

Key: With seven of 21 players from the start of the season gone, can Charlestown’s youngsters make the step up?

 

Lake Macquarie City Roosters v Newcastle Jets Youth

2.30pm Sunday 30^th April at Macquarie Field

Last Meeting: Round 15, 2014: Lake Macquarie 2 Jets Youth 1 at Macquarie Field.

Ladder: Lake Macquarie 6^th (11), Jets Youth 11^th (2)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Lakes – Lost Magpies 0-1 (a), Won Rosebud 2-1 (a), Lost Jaffas 0-4 (h)

Jets – Lost Phoenix 0-1 (a), Lost Eagles 0-1 (h), Drew Bears 2-2 (a)

Bottom Line

Both Lake Macquarie and the Jets Youth are coming off losses last weekend and are in need of a win, but for two very different reasons.

After an unbeaten start to the season, where the Roosters sat on top of the ladder they have now dropped two of their last three and have only managed to find the back of the net twice during the time.

Over the same time period, Lakes have dropped from first to sixth and a loss against the Jets Youth on Sunday afternoon could potentially see them drop to as low at eighth, with the top four getting out of their reach.

The Jets Youth, on the other hand, haven’t won in seven matches and sit bottom of the table – not a position the Youth side will want to sit in considering how the Newcastle Jets finished off the Hyundai A-League season.

It has been a tough two months for the club, with criticism fired from all parts and a win here to pull them off the bottom of the ladder could just prove the perfect tonic for some positivity.

At the same stage last season, the Jets only had two more points than they do currently, with only a win and a draw from their seven matches. They recovered to win seven of their final ten matches to finish fifth.

After a start to the season where they regularly conceded four goals a game, they have improved at the back, only conceding twice in the last two matches.

Cody Carroll and Finn Parris both have hamstring issues and are in doubt for the Jets. For Lakes, Justin Broadley (toe) is back training, but will still remain on the sideline this weekend. Dean Holt (overseas) missed the match as well.

What the Coaches Said:

Anthony Richards (Lakes)

“This is a really tough one for us because these guys play really good football, and play it at a good speed so on our ground this is going to be a super test. This will be our hardest game I think of the year. I think they are very close to their first win. Let’s hope it’s a fortnight away not a week away.”

“We just want to improve in trying to keep the ball, as if we’ve got the ball we can’t score. We are really concentrating on keeping the ball. Even in the FFA Cup, we didn’t really care too much about the scoreline we were just more concerned about keeping the ball, and we did well [in the FFA Cup] keeping the ball I thought.”

Clayton Zane (Jets Youth)

“We’ve had our games that we should have picked up three points in. That game on the weekend was a bit of a let down for everyone because we dominated the game and we threw three points away. I never felt the game was in any threat on the weekend. It was a good week defensively for us because we had all the rain and didn’t have a chance to work on the defensive side, so we have done a few weeks on it now.”

“I put them under pressure internally that we have to win games, but, with anything that has got to do with the media or anything that is out there on forums or people want to make comment I take full responsibility and they know that. We went through this last year and the margins are very small when it is boys playing against men, this can happen. I’m not concerned, we have shown improvements defensively, and we’ve score goals this year.”

Key: The Jets Youth have created chances over the past few weeks, and have had nothing to show for it. Can they take them on Sunday?

source: sportstg.com

Hamilton Olympic defeated second-tier Cessnock City 5-0 at Turner Park with a double from Tom Carias-Cox and goals to Kane Goodchild, Tom Stewart and Luke Vallone.

Kale Bradbery provided a highlight among the NPL clubs, scoring a hat-trick for Broadmeadow as they defeated second-tier Wallsend 8-0 at Magic Park. James Virgili, Lawrence Foteff, Josh Piddington, Scott Pettit and Luke Virgili also scored for Broadmeadow.

NPL club Maitland had no trouble against Warners Bay, who play in the third tier of NNSW football, at John Street Oval, cruising to an 8-1 win. Ben Martin, Zac Hill, Jye McKellar, Ryan Broadley, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Matt Sokulsky were other scorers for the Magpies.

At Jack McLaughlan Oval, Daniel McBreen scored a treble for Edgeworth in his return from suspension as the Eagles beat second-tier Belmont Swansea 9-0. Keigo Moriyasu and Will Bower scored twice each and Aden Gardner also got on the scoresheet for Edgeworth, who made it to the round of 16 last year in a best-ever showing from a NNSW club in the nationwide knockout. 

New Lambton edged out fellow Northern League One club Kahibah 2-1 at Alder Park on Tuesday night.

source:theherald.com.au

With a gifted goal and a penalty, Hamilton Olympic were able to curb the resistance of a young Weston side and collect the 3 points at Darling St Oval on Sunday night.

Olympic began the match dominating possession and looking threatening but Weston defending in numbers, minimised the clear cut goal scoring opportunities and tried to hit on the counter.

The first clear cut chance for Olympic came in 32” through Mathew Swan from a Kane Goodchild cross, but his header went narrowly wide.

In the 40” a poor clearance from the Weston defence was intercepted by Kane Goodchild who walked into the net with the ball to make the score 1-0 for Olympic.

In the remaining 5 minutes the game opened up with Weston coming forward in search of an equaliser. Despite this, the half time whistle found Olympic leading 1-0.

In the opening 10” of the second half, Scott Smith came close to doubling the score for Olympic but at the same time, a great save by Danny Ireland denied Weston from an equaliser from a well taken corner.

Matthew Swan wriggled his way through a number of defenders before being denied by the Weston goalkeeper while Scott Smith curled a great ball which beat the keeper, only to be cleared off the line by a defender.

In the 75’’ a sustained Olympic attack resulted in a hand ball ruling by the referee inside the Weston penalty box! Kane Goodchild had no problem scoring from the penalty spot to make the score 2-0.

In the 87” Thompson saw a second yellow card and was given his marching orders leaving Weston with only 10 men.

A deserved victory by Olympic over a young Weston side which was beaten but certainly not disgraced.

Under 20s Olympic won 4-0
Under 18s Olympic won 4-0

NPL Youth
Lambton vs Olympic
Under 16s Lambton won 0-2
Under 15s Olympic won 3-0
Under 14s drew
Under 13s Olympic won 3-0

Zone League 2
Nelson Bay vs Olympic
1st Grade Olympic won 4-1
2nd Grade Olympic won 4-1

NET results
Under 10s Olympic defeated South Wallsend 2-1
Under 11s Olympic defeated South Wallsend 2-0
Under 12s Olympic defeated Maitland 14-0

Olympic Junior Results
Under 16a Olympic and Magic drew 1-1
Under 15a Olympic defeated Lambton 4-1
Under 13a Olympic defeated by Charlestown 1-2
Under 12b Olympic defeated Kahibah 8-0

Under 9/1 Olympic defeated Nelson Bay
Under 9/2 Olympic
Under 8/1 Olympic defeated Lambton
Under 8/2 Olympic defeated Medowie
Under 7/1 Olympic defeated Cooks Hill
Under 6/1 Olympic defeated Cooks Hill
Under 6/2 Olympic defeated Fletcher
Under 6/3 Olympic defeated Cooks Hill

source: Tom Tsamouras

 

 

 

 

Hamilton Olympic v Weston Bears

2.30 pm Sunday 30^th April at Darling Street Oval

Last Meeting: Round 13, 2016: Weston 1 Hamilton 3 at Rockwell Automation Park.

Ladder: Hamilton 4^th (10), Weston 9^th (4)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Hamilton – Drew Eagles 1-1 (a), Won Magpies 2-0 (a), Lost Blues 1-2 (h)

Weston – Lost Magpies 0-1 (a), Drew Jets 2-2 (a), Drew Rosebud 3-3 (a)

Bottom Line

Weston will look to bounce back from a gut-wrenching draw against the Jets Youth last weekend which surely will have felt like a defeat.

Combined with their tight 1-0 loss to Maitland on Wednesday the Bears will feel they aren’t far off claiming their first three points of the season.

Scoring in the final minute to lead 2-1 against the Jets it seemed the Bears would claim their first victory of the season. But, alas for Weston they gave away a penalty and ultimately threw away the points. 

It has been moments like that which have hurt Weston throughout the season. Twice they led against the now first-placed Jaffas and gave up the lead and added to the result against the Jets and the draws against Adamstown and Lake Macquarie it leaves Weston ninth.

Olympic will enjoy the week to recover from a battering week of football where they played Charlestown, Maitland and Edgeworth all in the space of eight days.

Against three very physical sides coach, Mick Bolch would have been pleased with the four points his side took from matches against Maitland and Edgeworth after a disappointing showing against Charlestown.

Hamilton have been very much up and down so far, this season, however, just having the one draw has been crucial for Olympic to keep themselves just inside the top four.

Nick Thompson (away) will return to the Weston side this weekend. However, Jacob Golding will still remain sidelined for at least five more weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury that he suffered in round two.

What the Coaches Said:

Mick Bolch (Hamilton)

“All in all, I was very proud of what the boys did [against Edgeworth]. While you are never happy with a result as a draw, the last few years we have had 12 draws and cost ourselves titles. That is our first draw all year, so it’s not ideal but with the players, we had our – Grant Brown and Rhys Cooper –I’m happy with where we are at.”

Losing Kyle [Hodges] and Scott Smith on the weekend [hurt us]. You’ve only got to look at our first three games when he didn’t play we had a loss and a draw. We have been very good since he has been back. We lost a little bit of shape when he came out of the backline [on the weekend]. When Scott Smith came off he twinged his back, you lose a bit of energy when Scott’s not out there.”

Steve Piggott (Weston)

“I was devastated, they were devastated [with the weekend result]. They know they have got to play for 90 minutes. We have discussed it in depth. You are just going over the same things really. We scored the first goal and I sent out a message “start to concentrate for the next three to five minutes”. The Captain yelled it out “Come on let’s keep them out.” Fifty seconds later we conceded an equaliser, 1-1. It’s a mental thing, it’s not physical.”

“We are pretty good at the back but they are special guys [Scott Smith and Kane Goodchild], they are big and strong keep the ball well. In the last six to ten yards of the park they are good at scoring goals, they have earnt their stripes over the years. At the back and in the midfield, they have got some handy players. Leo Bertos may have left them but they have got a quality group. I don’t think they’ve played to their full potential this year. They haven’t hit the heights they probably should.”

Key: Youth v Experience. Which will win out in the end?

 U18s Olympic – Weston kick-off 10:45 at Darling St Oval

 U20s Olympic – Weston kick-off 12:30 at Darling St Oval

YOUTH NPL:

U16s Lambton Jaffas vs Hamilton Olympic at Arthur Eden Oval 2.30 pm

U15s Lambton Jaffas vs Hamilton Olympic at Arthur Eden Oval 1.00 pm

U14s Lambton Jaffas vs Hamilton Olympic at Arthur Eden Oval 11:30 am

U13s Lambton Jaffas vs Hamilton Olympic at Arthur Eden Oval 10:00 am

Newcastle Jets Youth v Valentine Phoenix

2.30 pm Saturday 29^th April at Cahill Oval

Last Meeting: Round 18, 2016: Valentine 0 Jets Youth 2

Ladder: Jets Youth 11^th (2), Valentine 2^nd (12)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Jets – Lost Eagles 0-1 (h), Drew Bears 2-2 (a), Lost Olympic 1-4 (a)

Valentine – Won Magpies 4-0 (a), Won Rosebud 2-0 (a), Won Jaffas 3-2 (a)

Bottom Line

Two sides who don’t mind attacking football meet on Saturday afternoon, so it seems a lot of goals may be on the cards in this one.

In their last three matches, 18 goals have been scored at an average of six per game, but, unfortunately for Valentine, the Jets have scored 13 of those and haven’t lost a match to the Phoenix since they entered the competition in 2012.

While their record against the Jets isn’t great, Valentine are flying and high and sit in second place on the ladder just two points behind the first-placed Jaffas. They have been the surprise packet of the current season and would like to make it four wins in a row against the Jets.

The Jets problem has been a similar one to that of the last few seasons, in their ability to defend. They can score plenty of goals, it is as the back though where they are often exploited.

They showed plenty of character to claim just their second point of the season against Weston on Sunday.

Twice they fought back from a goal down to claim a point including with virtually the last kick of the game. Midweek they only fell 1-0 to the defending Champions and defensively they look stronger every week.

Mark Moric scored a double against the Bears and he’ll be looking to impress coach Clayton Zane again this weekend with another quality performance.

Angus Thurgate won the NYL Player of the Year Award at the Newcastle Jets awards during the week, so expect him to have plenty of confidence against the Phoenix.

In a boost for Valentine, they will welcome back Alec Faulkner who has been overseas. Tyson Jackson (ankle) should return to the Jets while in a blow Cody Carroll (hamstring) and Cameron Joice (groin) are in doubt.

What the Coaches Said:

Clayton Zane (Jets Youth)

“I thought we played excellent against Olympic and got touched up 4-1, whereas on the weekend we played well below our level and still got something out of it. There are so many signs of what we saw last year and we are just not learning from it.

“If we had of played like we played against Olympic we would have accounted for Weston no doubt. We defended really well on the weekend and our best players were our left fullback and our two centre-halves. I thought they were excellent.”

Sam Griffin (Valentine Assistant)

“[The loss against Lakes] might have been the lesson we needed to learn and it is a good time to do it early in the year when we have plenty of time to fix it. I’m confident that we will turn up this week, regardless of who the opposition is and how they are going. They scored a goal in the last minute to get a result in the last minute so you’re not going to write them off.”

“I think it was the speed that they play [that troubled us last year]. We had a lot older squad than what we have this year, we had at least two or three guys in their thirties. Our average age might have come down from 26-27 last year to 21-22 this year so that will help us just purely speed wise. I think they weren’t going too well the first time we played them [last season] and we took them too lightly. You just can’t do that against any team in the comp.”

Key: Valentine have kept two clean sheets in a row and against a Jets side who have put 13 past them in three matches a similar resolute defensive performance is required.

Edgeworth Eagles v Charlestown City Blues

7.30 pm Saturday 29^th April at Jack McLaughlan Oval

Last Meeting: Round 16, 2016: Charlestown 1 Edgeworth 2 at Lisle Carr Oval.

Ladder: Edgeworth 7^th (9), Charlestown 5^th (10)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Edgeworth – Won Jets 1-0 (a), Drew Olympic 1-1 (h), Drew Magpies 0-0 (h)

Charlestown – Lost Jaffas 1-2 (h), Won Olympic 2-1 (a) Lost Magpies 1-2 (h)

Bottom Line

A weight would have been lifted off Edgeworth and Damian Zane’s shoulders on Wednesday night as they claimed just their second win in six matches this season to haul themselves back to within a point of the top four.

Before the midweek match the Eagles had won just once this season – against Adamstown 6-0 – and while in the other four matches they had played competition favourites in Hamilton, Lambton, Broadmeadow and Maitland, Damian Zane would have expected to get more than three points out of those matches.

A win over the Jets Youth would have done their confidence the world of good, and to have reduced the gap to five points with a game in hand on the first-placed Jaffas sets up the back end of the season.

Charlestown have had a topsy-turvy run of late, going win-loss-win-loss over their last four matches. But like Edgeworth, those four matches have been against quality opposition in Broadmeadow, Maitland, Hamilton and Lambton.

With Josh Maguire returning this weekend and Rene Ferguson firing again this season the Blues have the goal-scoring prowess to trouble Edgeworth.

It has been all Edgeworth in the last four matches between the sides. Damian Zane has never lost to Shane Pryce in the PlayStation®4 NPL Northern NSW and over those matches, the Eagles have racked up 14 goals to the Blues three.

Daniel McBreen (suspended) is still out for Edgeworth, while Cameron Hughes (work) and Josh Maguire (quad) will miss the match for the Blues.

What the Coaches Said:

Damian Zane (Edgeworth)

“Thirty seconds into the second half [against the Jets], Brenno [Bren Hammel] won the ball and delivered this pinpoint cross and we had runners in the box everywhere and the ball just skidded past every one of them. I just looked and I just went, gee, we are having a bad time of late. We are not far off; the delivery has improved for me in the last couple of weeks. But, I think we are going to cut loose on someone soon, I really do.”

“I think we are finding, as I said to the players, at times our ball movement was ok, but it was slow and we weren’t backing ourselves to play through the centre and look there is no doubt the level of coaching is better this year. If you’re too slow in doing things, teams are so well organised. I’ve just noticed, you can see that in the closeness of the competition that coaches can make a difference.”

Shane Pryce (Charlestown)

“It’s a massive challenge for us, they’ve been the benchmark of the competition for the last few years now so everyone turns up to beat Edgeworth, but, we’ve also been a bit behind the mark over the last few years against them. It’s a definite challenge for our boys to see if our results have been not a fluke.”

“I guess their danger is that they haven’t been playing the football they want to play and that they know they can play. The challenge there is they have got quality players there that are thinking they’ve got to step up and improve their game and I’m sure the bar has been set by Zaney [Damian Zane] out there. That’s the danger for me, that when it all clicks someone is going to get towelled up.”

Key: Against an Eagles side who have scored just twice in three games, can the Blues bring the determination and defensive steel they have shown over the last month.

Adamstown Rosebud v Lambton Jaffas

2.30 pm Sunday 30^th April at Adamstown Oval

Last Meeting: Round 16, 2016: Adamstown 1 Lambton 2 at Adamstown Oval.

Ladder: Adamstown 10^th (3), Lambton 1^st (14)

Past 3 Starts (most recent first):

Adamstown – Drew Magic 0-0 (h), Lost Roosters 1-2 (h), Lost Phoenix 0-2 (a)

Lambton – Won Blues 2-1 (a), Drew Magic 1-1 (h), Won Roosters 4-0 (a)

Bottom Line

Adamstown will be feeling a little bit better about themselves after a solid defensive showing against Broadmeadow Magic on ANZAC Day. They showed desperation, determination and plenty of grit as they kept out a frustrated Magic side.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Rosebud’s this weekend as a battle with the first-placed Jaffas looms large. It will be a very good test for Pete McGuinness’ side.

They will have to overcome their recent history as well. Adamstown haven’t won in seven matches against the Jaffas dating back to 2012 in the NewFM First Division.

In the six PS4 NPL matches the sides have played Lambton have won five and they have had one draw. In the process, the Jaffas have scored 21 to the Rosebud’s 2.

The Jaffas are flying this season and are unbeaten in three matches.

They proved the loss of top scorers Pat Brown and Joel Griffiths wouldn’t hurt them last weekend as both didn’t play and Tom Waller and Nathan Verity stepped up with quality goals to ensure a 2-1 win over Charlestown.

Adamstown were resolute in defence against a Broadmeadow side who have spluttered in attack so far this season. Whether they can contain Lambton who are scoring at two goals a match will be a much tougher task.

Adamstown are at full strength, while the Jaffas will be without Pat Brown (knee) who is at least a week away, Joel Griffiths (hip flexor) and Dain Greentree.

What the Coaches Said:

Pete McGuinness (Adamstown)

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Whether you are a fella on the hill, or the fella coaching the other team or a member of the public you are entitled to your opinion. I’m happy for people to voice their opinion. I don’t have to necessarily agree with it. We’ve leaked 18 goals or something in six games. I’m not doing my job if I don’t rectify that and rectify it quickly.”

“I’ve played in some teams around Newcastle that would absolutely whip most teams in this competition now and I can tell you now we played against teams that put everyone behind the ball and never ever bothered playing. I didn’t go and whinge about it. It was our job to break that down. It’s a part of football and it doesn’t matter what level you are at, you have different personalities and different philosophies on how to play.”

James Pascoe (Lambton)

“I expect us to go there and put on a good performance. If they want to park the bus, they can park the bus. There are things you have to do to beat that. If people put a defensive block in, you’ve either got to go through it, around it or over it and you keep working on each of those things during the course of the game until you find the way. We’re well versed in how to do all that.”

“It will probably be the first time we are up against it. I wouldn’t expect them to change too much. It’s probably something we might see a bit more as the season goes on. There are a million ways to play this game, a million ways to play football, and the key to it is to try to find a way to play which suits the cattle you have got, and if Pete thinks that is the best way for him to try and get some results and points, well good on him.”

Key: All in the mind. On paper, the Jaffas look to strong, but the same could be said for Magic on ANZAC Day. Can Lambton turn up with the right attitude?

Maitland Magpies v Lake Macquarie City Roosters

2.30 pm Sunday 30^th April at Adamstown Oval

Last Meeting: NewFM 1^st Division, Round 12, 2010: Maitland 0 Lake Macquarie 1 at Cooks Square Park.

Ladder: Maitland 6^th (10), Lake Macquarie 3^rd (11)

Last 3 Starts (most recent first):

Maitland – Won Bears 1-0 (h), Lost Phoenix 0-4 (h), Lost Olympic 0-2 (h)

Lakes – Won Rosebud 2-1 (a), Lost Jaffas 0-4 (h), Won Magic 4-1 (a)

Bottom Line

Two sides who haven’t met in seven years face-off at Cooks Square Park with the home side looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Weston midweek when they clash with Lake Macquarie at home on Sunday afternoon. 

Both of Maitland’s losses have come at home this season and while a tight 2-0 loss – where they came close to equalising – against Hamilton wouldn’t have concerned coach Phil Dando too much, the 4-0 thumping they received from Valentine would have.

The Phoenix totally outplayed the Magpies on Saturday evening and they cannot afford the same to happen against the Roosters.

Lakes will be fresh after having the bye last weekend and will have regained plenty of confidence after their win against Adamstown last start.

They have lost just once this season – against the first-placed Jaffas. Their resolute defence, combined with their lethal ability to finish chances – led by Sam Walker – has given Lakes a platform to push on for a shot at the finals.

After a crushing defeat at the hands of Lambton at home, the weekend before the Roosters could not have responded any better. Blake Green scored a cracking goal to win the match against the Rosebuds and Sam Walker continued his strong form in front of goals for Lakes.

In a side note to the match, five former Maitland players will line up against their former side with Benn Kelly, Matt Toohey, Steve Rospigliosi, Corey Fletcher and Justin Broadley returning to their former stomping ground.

Toohey makes his return from a groin injury for Lakes while Broadley (toe) could return from injury. For the Magpies, a busy month has taken its toll with Andrew Pawiak (groin), Josh Dutton-Black (knee), Ryan Broadley (ankle), Zac Hill (calf) all in doubt.

What the Coaches Said:

Phil Dando (Maitland)

“[Lakes] have been doing well as well, a surprise packet coming up from the division down. It just goes to show how even this league is at the moment. Everyone’s sort of in the same boat. You can’t really predict results too easily at the moment so they have been doing really well. Scoring goals and playing some good stuff.”

“Last night was our sixth match in 22 days, ten points on the board, I would have liked a couple more, but you know we are probably only two or three points behind where I would have liked us to have been. Anyway, once we have got all the catch-ups out of the way which basically we have now, and we’ve got FFA Cup next week, then we should settle down into a normal routine.”

Anthony Richards (Lakes)

“We are really excited. Maitland to their credit have turned it into an old boys’ day because I think we’ve got more Maitland players than what they have got. They’ve turned it into a community day, so they should get a good ground, so we’re really excited about it.”

“I’m guessing the boys enjoyed ANZAC Day. I saw Corey Fletcher, he was in a two-up ring tossing coins so he’s practising to be captain, I think, for the weekend. I think that was the whole idea! But, our guys are good to go. The week off came at a great time for us, we were able to freshen up and go again, so it’s been terrific for us.”

Key: Home Ground Advantage? Maitland have won just four of their last 17 matches at Cooks Square Park. Can they make it two wins in a row at Windy Hill?

source:sportstg.com

10-MAN Edgeworth came from a goal down to secure a 1-all draw with Hamilton Olympic at Jack McLauglan an Oval on Saturday night.

Former A-League Golden Boot Daniel McBreen was given a straight red card early in the second half after an exchange with referee Ryan Gallagher.

The Eagles trailed 1-0 at the time of the striker’s dismissal.

If anything, the send off lifted the home side and they equalised through a Bren Hammel penalty in the 75^th after the midfielder had been brought down by Tom Davies.

“They probably did better with 10 men,” Olympic coach Mick Bolch said. “They lifted and we were always going to run out of legs after playing Wednesday night. It hurts both of us on the table but I think a draw was a fair result.”

Matthew Swan had put Olympic visitors ahead when he reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble.

“We were bit flat to start, but I think we deserved the lead at half-time,” Bolch said. “We lost Kyle Hodges to a broken toe at half-time which changed momentum a bit. He is our skipper and lynchpin in the backline. We lost a bit of shape when he went off.”

In the other game on Saturday night, Jalon Brown scored a brace to lead Valentine to a 4-0 win over Maitland. 

On Sunday, Charlestown City are at home to Lambton Jaffas and Weston welcome the Newcastle Jets youth team to Bear Park.

In the final fixture on Anzac Day, Adamstown Rosebuds host Broadmeadow Magic.

Under 20s Edgeworth – Olympic 1-3
Under 18s Edgeworth – Olympic 1-2

NPL Youth
Olympic vs Edgeworth
Under 16s Olympic won 2-1
Under 15s Olympic won 3-2
Under 14s Edgeworth won 2-5
Under 13s Olympic won 5-1

Zone League 2
Olympic vs Hunter Simba
1st Grade Hunter Simba won 1-4
2nd Grade drew 4-4

NET results
Under 10s Olympic defeated by New Lambton 1-2
Under 11s Olympic and New Lambton drew 2-2
Under 12s Olympic vs Charlestown postponed

Olympic Junior Results
Under 16a Olympic defeated Cooks Hill 2-1
Under 15a Olympic defeated by Nelson Bay 0-7
Under 13a Olympic drew with Wallsend 2-2
Under 12b Olympic defeated Sth Cardiff 6-0

source:theherald.com.au

LEO Bertos is not sure if he will play again.

The former New Zealand international told his Hamilton Olympic teammates and coach Michael Bolch after the 2-1 loss to Charlestown last Saturday that it was probably his last game.

Despite attempts to change his mind, the 35-year-old former Wellington and Perth A-League star has stepped aside to focus on work and family. 

“It was the first time in my life in a game when I didn’t want to be there,” Bertos said. 

“I took that as a sign that this might be it.”

The loss of Bertos, who did not play on Wednesday in Hamilton’s 2-0 win over Maitland, comes as fourth-placed Olympic prepare to take on eighth-placed Edgeworth on Saturday at Jack McLaughlan Oval in round seven of the Northern NSW National Premier League.

Bertos, who joined Hamilton last season, welcomed son, Atlas, into the world almost two months ago and is six months into his role as technical director at Macquarie Football. He felt like he was letting Hamilton down but said “I need to do this because I don’t have time to do everything”.

“It’s about making sure I’m home to help and spend time with the family. That’s the main factor,” said Bertos, who also has a two-year-old son, Zeno. But it’s also because of my role with Macquarie Football as the TD. It’s full on and seven days a week, and I’m getting home at 7, 7.30 and the kids are in bed.

“And if I’m at training or playing with Hamilton, then I’m away two, three nights a week and I don’t get to see the family much. That was maybe why I felt like that in that game.”

While not sure he had played his last first-grade game, he said “there’s a good chance”.

“I’m not going to turn up and just play,” he said. “I’ve got to train just like everyone else in the squad.”

“I’m not training or playing with the team, and I’m just concentrating on being at home and working as well. If there’s a time when more time is freed up, I don’t know when that will be, I might consider coming back. It’s not how I pictured it to finish, but the reality is I’ve had a good time playing. I’ve enjoy it there under Bolchy and at the club. They’ve been awesome to me and it feels like a family.”

Bertos joins Rhys Cooper (knee) on the sidelines for Olympic, while Edgeworth should be full-strength for the 6pm clash. At 7.30pm Saturday, Maitland host Valentine at Cooks Square Park.

On Sunday, Charlestown welcome Lambton, who are missing injured strikers Pat Brown and Joel Griffiths, to Lisle Carr Oval and the Bears take on Jets Youth at Weston. Adamstown host Broadmeadow on Anzac Day to finish the round.

* theherald.com.au for BarTV Sports livestream of Edgeworth v Olympic at 6pm on Saturday 

Bertos added that: “I don’t know if I’ll play again and I’m happy if I don’t.

“I don’t know if it will be first grade again, but I’m sure there will be a time when I pull on the boots again. I’m just not sure when that’s going to be.”

He was confident Olympic would be successful without him this year.

“I think this year, which has been very pleasing to see, is there have been a number of boys from the under 22s last year that are in the squad and ready to jump in when needed,” he said.

“There’s young ones coming through and that’s great for the club. And they made a couple of great signings this year in Scotty [Smith] and Macca [Peter McPherson] and they’ve done really well.

“I don’t think we’ve hit our straps yet, and it will take a few more games.”

On retiring, he said: “If that’s it, I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve enjoyed playing in the NPL. It’s a decent level and there’s good players coming through it and some good coaches coming into it now too.

“I think there’s some good signs there for the competition.”

Source:theherald.com.au