Match of the Round – Azzurri v Belmont Swansea
2:30pm Sunday 9th August
Lisle Carr Oval
Azzurri hosted Belmont Swansea at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday in the NEWFM 1st Division Rnd 21 Match of the Round.
Belmont Swansea were unable to match Azzurri to pick up some desperately needed points, going down to the home side 2-0.
The game was sealed by halftime, with Azzurri’s Stef Cocomonovski and Adam Baulter each scoring to create a two goal buffer between their side and Belmont Swansea.
Although Azzurri failed to find the back of the net during the second half, their defensive efforts ensured Belmont Swansea were unable to put their name on the score board.
After a run of bad luck during yesterday’s game, Belmont Swansea coach, Brian Johns is still happy his side put forth an impressive performance.
“We played really well, it’s just the story of our whole year – no luck,” said Johns.
Belmont Swansea are now sitting in equal 5th place with their fingers crossed that Rnd 22 goes their way to position themselves in the top 4 for the semis.
Azzurri’s victory combined with other results has now positioned the side in an untouchable position at the top of the table for the Minor Premiership which has delighted Coach Greg Smith.
“We probably missed a few goals, but I was very pleased with the result and now we’re on top and can’t get beaten,” said Smith.
Wallsend v Singleton
2:30pm Saturday 8th August
Glendale Athletics Centre
Wallsend have fallen back into last place as a result of their 4-2 defeat at the hands of Singleton on Saturday.
Despite being three goals down by halftime, Wallsend’s Evan Lowe and Chris Gallagher struck back during the second half with a goal each, but it wasn’t enough to match a goal from Singleton’s Clinton Lainsbury and a hat trick from teammate Chris Mason.
Although his side were unable to come away with the points, Wallsend coach, Frank Klaassen, was pleased with the second half effort from his side.
“We lost the first half, but we won the second half,” said Klaassen.
Although Singleton are currently in 9th place, Coach Warren Gillespie is happy to have walked away with the points.
“We won the game – at the end of the day it wasn’t a first class performance but we were dominant and got the three points,” said Gillespie.
Lambton v Cessnock
2:30pm Sunday 9th August
Edden Oval
Lambton have shaken their position at the bottom of the table and are now sitting in 11th place as a result of their 2-2 draw with Cessnock yesterday.
A header goal from Lambton was matched with a converted penalty for Cessnock to gridlock the game at 1-1 until Cessnock hit back to take the lead in the second half, but the game was all but over.
Lambton equalised the game towards the end of the second half and both sides took home one point.
“We rocketed up the table,” laughed Lambton coach, Keith Harris, “I was extremely pleased with the boys; they started well and really played extremely well.”
Next weekend’s game will prove crucial for Lambton to steer clear of the wooden spoon when they face Beresfield.
Adamstown v Thornton
2:30pm Sunday 9th August
Adamstown Oval
Adamstown coach, Les True, has come to the realisation that his side are no longer able to make the semis after yesterday’s loss to Thornton.
Adamstown’s Andrew Dowd converted a penalty for his side’s only goal, while Thornton’s efforts in front of the goals went unmatched.
“We gave away a few sloppy goals and now we’ve just got one more game to go,” said True.
Thornton have now ended Adamstown’s only glimmer of hope to make the top 4 by the end of the season, but with a game still in hand to be played this week, Thornton could see themselves slip into the semis.
Facing Beresfield and Wallsend over the coming week, Thornton will have to stage two impressive battles to move up three places into 4th.
Maitland v Beresfield
2:30pm Sunday 9th August
Cooks Square Park
Maitland’s hopes of regaining their position in 1st place for the Minor Premiership were dashed by a 2-1 loss when the side faced Beresfield yesterday.
The home side, Maitland, were playing in front of ex players for ‘Old Boys Day’ and with some outside encouragement, the team made plenty of opportunities though most went unconverted.
Maitland coach, Anthony Richards, admits that the nerves of facing the finals may have already begun to set in.
“We’re getting a little bit nervous for the semis – we’re playing ok, we just can’t score,” said Richards.
For Beresfield, the game marked the side’s return to the top 4 and with the semis commencing just two weeks away, the points could not have come soon enough.
Lake Macquarie v Dudley Redhead
2:30pm Sunday 9th August
Macquarie Field
Lake Macquarie and Dudley Redhead appeared to be on par throughout the first half of their game yesterday at Macquarie Field.
With the game goalless until the second half, a halftime pep talk in the dressing sheds by Dudley Redhead coach, John Convery, payed dividends.
Mitchell Bowd, Brad Cooper and Andrew Blenning scored a goal each for Dudley Redhead and sealed the game within a matter of just ten minutes.
Convery believes that optimism played a huge part in his side’s impressive 3-0 victory yesterday.
“The boys started off pretty positive and we missed a couple of opportunities, but we scored three goals in ten minutes and the game was over,” said Convery.
Lake Macquarie are now in a must win position ahead of their game next week and are also relying on other results to move back inside the top 4.