Match of the Round
Weston Workers FC 3-1 Cooks Hill United
Weston took a step towards the top of the table after securing a 3-1 victory over Cooks Hill United on Sunday, with Cooper Buswell scoring twice and captain Chris Hurley also getting on the scoresheet.
Hurley opened the scoring after 35 minutes at Rockwell Automation Park when Buswell made a penetrating run into the penalty area and shot on goal, which was initially saved before Hurley converted the rebound. It was a brilliant display of leadership from Hurley, who made a run from left-back to support the attack.
Shortly before half-time Connor Evans played a perfectly weighted through ball to Buswell, who calmly finished to double the Bears’ lead. In the second half, Hurley started a fantastic team goal which eventually led to Buswell scoring his second of the game with a stunning 25-yard strike.
Although Cooks Hill managed to score a late consolation goal through Liam Spurway it was too little too late as the Bears held on for the win.
Weston coach Kew Jaliens provided his thoughts on the match.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half, we didn’t do what we agreed upon,” Jaliens said.
“However I was pleased with the goals we scored, first one Chris [Hurley] put good pressure on and followed up Buswell’s shot on goal to tap in.
“Second was a great goal, great run from Buswell and great pass from Connor Evans, from there we controlled the game.
“So in the end pleased with the way we controlled the game and with the goals we scored.”
Round 11 results mean that three teams are separated by just three points at the top of the table, with the title race heating up. The three points from the win elevate the Bears into third place on 23 points, leaving them behind Edgeworth only on goals scored.
Weston are now just two points behind Charlestown Azzurri, who lead the table with 25 points.
Overall it was an impressive performance from Weston who displayed their attacking prowess and defensive solidity to secure an important victory in the title race.
Maitland FC 5-0 Adamstown Rosebud
Braedyn Crowley’s magnificent hat-trick secured an impressive 5-0 victory and three crucial points for the Magpies on Saturday.
The striker was in superb form at Cooks Square Park, displaying pace, precision and a clinical touch in front of goal.
The first goal arrived after just 18 minutes when Crowley outpaced the Rosebud defence and squared the ball to James Thompson, who calmly slotted home. Crowley then doubled the lead on 26 minutes with a penetrating run, cutting inside onto his right foot and placing the ball into the bottom corner.
A fine team goal put the Magpies 3-0 ahead after 55 minutes.
Charles Cox won possession and laid the ball off to Lachlan Webb who floated in a long cross to Thompson.
Thompson’s telepathic cushion to the advancing Crowley was poetry in motion as the striker struck it first time to make it 3-0 to the Magpies.
But Crowley saved the best for last, a beautifully weighted pass from Lachlan Webb over the top of the Rosebud defence which Crowley plucked from the air with a majestic first touch and composed finish.
The Magpies were not finished yet, as Isaac Collins added a fifth goal on 76 minutes, capping off an excellent team performance.
Crowley has now scored seven goals in just three matches, including a brace against Newcastle Olympic and two goals in the Australia Cup. His performance was a key factor in the Magpies’ dominant victory, as they showed their quality and attacking prowess in all areas of the pitch.
Despite creating several chances, Rosebud were unable to find a way past the impressive Taylor Pate, who made a number of crucial saves to keep a clean sheet for Maitland.
Magpies coach Michael Bolch praised the young goalkeeper, who has been performing admirably in recent matches.
“Taylor Pate, our young reserve grade keeper is doing really well,” Bolch said.
“He kept a clean sheet in our last match against Olympic and played today, making some crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
“Charlie Cox in centre midfield has been outstanding for a few weeks with great work rate and distribution.
“Braedyn Crowley is back in form with seven goals in three games.
“Our defensive unit was solid today and we are starting to convert our chances into goals, which is a positive sign for the team.”
Newcastle Olympic 3-2 Lambton Jaffas
A hard-fought battle saw Newcastle Olympic end Lambton Jaffas’ unbeaten run with a well-deserved 3-2 win at Darling St Oval on Saturday.
Thomas O’Connor celebrated his 19th birthday a day early scoring an impressive strike from 25 yards for Olympic. But Jaffas quickly equalised through Kale Bradbery just four minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 score at half-time.
In the second half Marcus Duncan gave Olympic a 2-1 lead and Blake Green extended their advantage to 3-1 after 73 minutes.
The Jaffas tried to fight back and managed to pull a goal back through central midfielder Ben Hay on 77 minutes but it was not enough to avoid the loss.
With this victory Olympic stayed within reach of the front runners, earning three important points.
Olympic coach Joel Griffiths reflected on the game.
“I felt we had the majority of chances and probably did enough to win the game. It’s pleasing to see us scoring more than two goals every game but I’m not too happy that we are still conceding goals,” Griffiths said.
“We need to continue to work on that area to have any chance of progressing. Big game next week against [Edgeworth].”
Valentine FC 2-5 Broadmeadow Magic
Broadmeadow Magic bounced back from last week’s defeat with an impressive 5-2 victory over Valentine on Saturday.
Magic started with high intensity at Hunter Sports Centre and their intent was clear when Riley Smith sprinted down the left wing and poked the ball into the net after just three minutes.
Smith doubled the lead on the half-hour mark after a fierce Magic press won possession. He dribbled into the penalty area and curled a shot into the net with his right boot for his second goal. Josh Benson made it 3-0 on the stroke of halftime, capping off a phenomenal first half for Magic.
Valentine started the second half brightly, with Nicolas Martinelli grabbing a goal back 10 minutes in.
However, Smith was quick to respond, scoring his third goal of the game after pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area following a long free kick. Jarred Baker then added a fifth goal for Magic with an elegant first touch, lobbing the advancing goalkeeper and side footing home.
But a red card for Sam Kamper on 69 minutes reduced Magic to 10 men and Valentine immediately capitalised with Martinelli scoring his second goal.
Valentine continued to push forward and made it a nervy finish for Magic, who were forced to defend resolutely for the final 20 minutes.
Broadmeadow coach Michael Bennis was pleased with his side’s performance in the first half but less satisfied with their display in the second.
“We had a good first half, lots of energy and intent,” Bennis said.
“However, in the second half, we were a little wasteful in possession.”
New Lambton FC 3-0 Lake Macquarie City FC
New Lambton secured their second victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Lake Macquarie City on Saturday, thanks to goals from Fletch Davis, Dylan Bozinovski and Kai Bradley.
For the newly-promoted side it has been a season of ups and downs so far with the win over Lakes at Alder Park their best result of the season but not necessarily their best performance.
Golden Eagles coach Thomas Davies reflected on the match and the campaign.
“We have definitely played better in recent games but the main thing was to get three points. Great to finally get a clean sheet,” Davies said.
“Lots of lessons learned from the first half of the season which we will benefit from in the second half of the season.”
Charlestown Azzurri 1-1 Edgeworth FC
In a highly anticipated match-up between the first and second-placed teams, neither Charlestown or Edgeworth could find a winner and had to settle for a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The match remained a stalemate until the 80th minute at Lisle Carr Oval when veteran striker Rene Ferguson split the two central defenders and placed the ball into the net from a square cross, seemingly sealing the win for the Azzurri.
But a gritty Edgeworth side never gave up and continued to push forward, ultimately being rewarded in the 89th minute when defender Jacob Pepper found the back of the net to secure a valuable point for his team.
With the weekend’s results Weston have now joined Edgeworth on 23 points, just two points behind the table-topping Charlestown Azzurri. But with Lambton Jaffas, Newcastle Olympic and Broadmeadow Magic hot on their heels, the race for the top spot is heating up.