Match of the Round
Broadmeadow Magic 11-1 Warners Bay FC
Lucy Jerram and Chelsea Lucas helped Broadmeadow Magic bounce back to thrash Warners Bay 11-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Magic came out in force, wanting to put their second loss of the season against Maitland FC behind them and remain league leaders for another week.
It was a horrid start for Warners Bay, conceding an own goal in the first 20 seconds of the match.
Magic’s attack was relentless from the first whistle, with Chelsea Lucas hitting the back of the net back-to-back for Magic in the eighth and 15th minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for Warners Bay after conceding a second own goal in the 24th minute.
Kiarra Lewis, Jerram and Gemma Harrison all got onto the scoresheet before halftime, going into the sheds 7-0 up.
Chelsea Lucas completed her hat-trick in the 51st minute tapping the ball past the keeper off a deflection.
The rest of the game was all Jerram, scoring three goals in the 58th, 63rd and 67th minute, taking her goal total to four for the day.
Warners Bay were able to get a late consolation in the 83rd minute when Dana Neaves broke through Magic’s defence to score the side’s fourth goal of the season.
Coach Jake Curley was pleased with his team’s performance and the impact Lucas makes to the side.
“I thought it was a good performance, we created a lot of chances and kept the ball really well,” Curley said.
“Chelsea is a fantastic player. She keeps improving every year and it’s great to watch her develop as a player.”
“She gives is another option on the right-hand side.”
Coach Curley was also happy to have his star striker Jerram return to the side after two weeks suspended, scoring 17 goals so far this season.
“Lucy definitely improves our team,” Curley said.
“She is a very effective player.”
Despite the result, Curley heavily praised Warners Bay’s goalkeeper Georgia Cooksey and her shot-stopping abilities.
“I thought Warners Bay’s goalkeeper was fantastic yesterday,” said Curley.
“Some of the saves she made were outstanding.”
This result allows Magic to keep their spot at the top of the table on goal difference above Newcastle Olympic.
Magic will need to continue their winning ways if they want to stay at the top, with Olympic, Maitland and Azzurri snapping at their heels on the table.
Warners Bay continues to search for their first points of the season and have now conceded 148 goals this season.
Mid Coast FC 2-8 New Lambton FC
Mid Coast were unable to keep New Lambton out going down 2-8 on Saturday evening.
Despite a strong start from Mid Coast and bringing goalkeeper Grace Davies out onto the pitch, New Lambton proved too strong in the end.
But Mid Coast Coach Emma Stanbury will be pleased with her side’s efforts, previously commenting that all she wants to see is improvement each week.
Mid Coast opened the scoring, with Sophie Gallagher tapping the ball in off a free kick in the 14th minute.
Lauren Allan was able to respond for New Lambton in the 19th, beating her defender to a through ball to strike the top left corner and put her side even.
Mid Coast did not drop their heads, with Jorja Holborow putting her side ahead once again in the 25th minute.
But Mid Coast’s lead was short-lived once again as Sarah Moore put New Lambton back level.
Cassidy Davis was able to put New Lambton 3-2 up just before half-time, hitting the back of the net in the 42nd minute.
New Lambton kicked things up a gear in the second half in attack and was able to reap the rewards.
Lauren Allan was able to reach a hat-trick, scoring two more goals in the 58th and 67th minutes.
Ameera Makunja was able to add her name to the scoresheet, hitting the bottom left corner to put her side 6-2 up in the 71sy minute before Tara Andrews converted a penalty in the 81st minute and
Allan put the cherry on top for New Lambton, scoring her fourth goal of the evening in the 88th minute, closing out the scoreline.
This result has allowed New Lambton to climb up the ladder to fifth but still sit nine points outside the top four and finals contention.
Maitland FC 1-0 Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Maitland continues their winning streak, defeating Adamstown Rosebud 1-0 at Cooks Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies have now won six matches in a row, making them the most in-form side in the competition.
Maitland earned an indirect free kick just outside the box in the 13th minute. Sophie Stapleford stepped up to take the kick and sliced the ball past the wall and Rosebud goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon into the bottom corner of the net.
Adamstown had multiple chances to equalise but were unable to capitalise on their chances.
The Magpies continued to create opportunities in attack and were given the chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a second-half penalty. But Mercedes McNabb was unable to convert the penalty, hitting the ball wide and keeping the final score to 1-0.
The three points moves the Magpies into third on the table, helping to secure their spot in finals football.
Rosebud now slip down to sixth on the table, with the hopes at making finals football decreasing but not impossible. Ryan Campbell’s side will be determined to bounce back when they take on Mid Coast next weekend.
Newcastle Olympic FC 3-1 Charlestown Azzurri FC
Three first-half goals secured a much-needed win for Newcastle Olympic over Charlestown Azzurri.
Olympic were able to take chances at the right time, defeating Azzurri 3-1.
Jemma House continued to be unstoppable for her side scoring two goals within the first 35 minutes of the match.
A high press from Olympic allowed House open the scoring in the eighth minute, pinching the ball from Azzurri’s centre back Maddison Thornton to be one-on-one with the keeper and hit the bottom right corner.
House’s pace continued to be a threat, beating her defenders to chase down a perfectly placed through ball from Nicole Jones to slice the ball into the back of the net to put Olympic 2-0 up in the 34th minute.
Sophie Walmsley tapped the ball in off a corner kick to put Olympic 3-0 up just before half-time.
Azzurri came out of the sheds hungry and were able to snatch one back after Cassie Corder showcased her speed beating Olympic’s defensive line to score her eighth goal of the season.
Both sides continued to have multiple shots for the remainder of the 90 minutes, however, neither team was able to shift the scoreline.
Olympic remains second on the table, only separated from league-leagues Broadmeadow Magic by goal difference.
Azzurri have slipped down to fourth on the table but are still sitting comfortably for finals contention, nine points clear from New Lambton in fifth.