NEWFM 1st Division
1st Grade Semi Finals
Beresfield (4) v Azzurri (1)
2:30pm Saturday 22nd August
Pasadena Oval
Beresfield hosted Azzurri in the first leg of their NEWFM 1st Division Semi Finals journey on Saturday at Pasadena Oval.
The home advantage was unable to benefit Beresfield as it had in the past, with the side going down 2-1 to newcomers to the competition, Azzurri.
Missing both Damien Smith and Ben Lane, Beresfield managed to get one up early in the first half for the lead over the Premiers, however were also forced to play with ten men after having a player sent off.
It was from here that Beresfield’s defensive efforts began to unravel, with Azzurri’s Aaron Pritchard equalising the score prior to the halftime whistle to allow both sides to return to the park for the second half on even footing.
The second half remained at a gridlock until its late stages and it wasn’t until Azzurri’s Rob Mooney struck the ball past the keeper with just ten minutes to go that his side pushed the score out of reach of their opposition, with Beresfield unable to find an equaliser to force the game into extra time.
Azzurri coach, Greg Smith, is happy that his side have recorded a victory on their first leg of the Semi Finals, with the added advantage of scoring away from home.
“It was good to come away with a win away from home, now we just have to score some goals this weekend,” said Smith.
Azzurri and Beresfield will now stage a rematch on Azzurri’s home turf, Lisle Carr Oval, this weekend in the deciding match for a place in the Grand Final.
Other NEWFM 1st Division Semi Finals results from Saturday at Pasadena Oval:
Youth Grade 11:00am
Lake Macquarie 0 v Dudley Redhead 1
Reserve Grade 12:45pm
Lambton 1 v Maitland 0
Maitland (2) v Dudley Redhead (3)
2:30pm Sunday 23rd August
Cooks Square Park
Maitland hosted Dudley Redhead in the first game of a home and away Semi Finals series on Sunday at Cooks Square Park.
If history had anything to do with the success of either side, the outcome was predictable as when Maitland and Dudley Redhead have met throughout the season, the home advantage proved the key to victory.
This Semi Final was no different, with the home side, Maitland, defeating Dudley Redhead 2-0 to begin their finals journey on an optimistic note.
Dudley Redhead defended well on unknown soil to hold Maitland goalless until halftime, and the score sat gridlocked at 0-0 ahead of the second half.
Maitland benefited from the presence of Justin Broadley and Tim Grant who were on return from injury and reinforced the side during the crucial second half.
With the score at a standstill, Maitland’s Andrew Parkinson took a runaway ball straight to the goals, slotting it past the keeper to hand his side the lead.
Shortly after Parkinson’s goal, teammate, James Boyle, scored off yet another runaway ball in just his second 1st Grade start for the side.
Dudley Redhead were unable to find the back of the net, despite creating their own opportunities and Coach John Convery believes that the injury toll amongst his squad impacted the game on the weekend.
“We created numerous opportunities, but lacking forwards, we just couldn’t finish off, Maitland played very well and come next Saturday we’ll try again – that’s about the best we can do,” said Convery.
The defensive tactics of Maitland coach, Anthony Richards, coupled with the enthusiasm of his squad were huge factors in getting across the line against Dudley Redhead.
“We were purely focussed on making sure they didn’t score, Dudley played really well – they are a tough side, we had good structure and defence and were taking chances,” said Richards.
Maitland and Dudley Redhead will now face off for the second time in as many weeks at Lydon Oval, Dudley Redhead’s home ground, in an effort to claim a place in the NEWFM 1st Division Grand Final.
Other NEWFM 1st Division Semi Finals results from Sunday at Cooks Square Park:
Youth Grade 11:00am
Maitland 3 v Adamstown 1
Reserve Grade 12:45pm
Dudley Redhead 1 v Beresfield 0