Match of the Round
Charlestown Azzurri 1-2 Lambton Jaffas
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 2:30pm
Lambton Jaffas’ coach David Tanchevski is pleased his side has moved three points clear at the top of the table after a 2-1 win over Charlestown Azzurri on Sunday afternoon.
The reigning premiers and champions continued their best start to a season in recent history with another impressive performance that secured them three points.
Bailey Newton opened Jaffas’ account at Lisle Carr Oval in spectacular fashion in the 20th minute to put his side in front. Azzurri’s defence was unable to clear a ball from inside the penalty area, as the ball fell into the path of Newton unmarked, who took a touch and stuck the ball powerfully into the back of the net.
Azzurri struck back and equalised in the 59th minute after a well-placed header off a free kick that was nodded past goalkeeper Ben Kennedy.
But one minute later Jaffas edged their way back in front after a brilliant header from Riley McNaughton off a corner kick that flew into the back of the net.
The Jaffas maintained their lead until the final whistle and secured their seventh win in seven matches for the season.
Tanchevski was thrilled for his side to get another consecutive win under their belt and move three points clear at the top of the table.
“It is a really good result and now puts us three points clear on the table,” Tanchevski said.
“As a squad, they continue to impress me and step up when needed.”
Jaffas’ coach said that it is a big confidence boost to return home with a win over an experienced Azzurri outfit.
“We knew it would be another hard game but I was pretty happy that BK (Kennedy) didn’t have to make a save,” Tanchevski said.
“That was the only disappointing thing, that we conceded and also that we didn’t score more.
“Charlestown is always a tough game. It was a pretty tight and physical game, we knew it would be close.
“I thought we stuck to the game plan really well.”
Azzurri coach James Pascoe was disappointed with the result but was pleased with the improvement he saw from his side.
“We had enough chances to change the game but sometimes that’s just the rub of the green,” Pascoe said.
“But it’s not the end of the world, I am disappointed but there are lots of positives knowing that we aren’t too far away from the top team.
“We were better with the ball today and our ability to control the tempo of possession was better than the past two weeks which is a big positive.
“We are in no means down in the dumps, we will just keep working hard and have to keep getting better knowing that we were close.”
Jaffas will hope to continue their momentum when they return home on Saturday to face third-placed Valentine FC.
Charlestown remains in fourth position on the table, five points clear of Maitland in fifth but is now six points behind Jaffas in the top spot.
Azzurri will be eager to turn things around and secure a win when they go head-to-head with Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday afternoon.
New Lambton FC 2-1 Weston Workers FC
Alder Park, Friday 8:15pm
New Lambton FC coach Shane Pryce is thrilled to finally 'get the monkey off the back’ of his side after a 2-1 victory against Weston Workers FC on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles secured their first three points of the season and have moved off the bottom of the table into tenth position.
New Lambton opened the scoring for New Lambton in the 28th minute after a high press paid off. Kent Harrison outmuscled Chris Hurley to win the ball off the defender just outside the penalty area and charged towards goal before he smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Harrison doubled his side’s advantage one minute later with a spectacular individual effort from the attacker. New Lambton caught the Bears on the breaks and Harrison turned his defender inside out before slotting the ball between Mitchell Dobson’s legs and past goalkeeper Gerald Roebuck.
The Bears clawed one back in the 50th minute after New Lambton’s goalkeeper Shayne Van As fell back into the goal due to contact from a Weston player after he caught the ball off a corner kick and spilled it into the net.
The Golden Eagles attempted to protest but the referees said the goal stood which took the scoreline to 2-1.
New Lambton held on and secured all three points which pleased coach Shane Pryce after a tough start to the season.
“100% that pressure just lifts now we got the monkey off our back,” Pryce said.
“It’s a massive relief and well-deserved for the players.
“I’m just happy with a team and group performance, I think. We had a lot of players contribute to the end result.
“Weston is full of quality individuals and we showed a lot of resilience and finally got over the line.
‘I think we had 11 players that turned up and were involved in the contest which is the type of side that we need. We need everyone that is there to be up to it and everyone needs to contest in every battle.
Pryce believed the win would help build momentum for his side as they move into the ninth round of the season next weekend.
“Failure brings you closer to success and this win could be the catalyst for our season,” Pryce said.
“I think it takes a while to build trust between players, coaching staff and the club but once you do that, you go out and perform well.
“I firmly believe that you make your own luck if you work hard enough for things which we have started to do and now the results are coming.”
New Lambton will hope to keep the good times rolling when they travel to Darling Street Oval to face Newcastle Olympic on Sunday afternoon.
Weston remains in eighth position on the table and will hope to turn things around when they stay on the road to face Adamstown Rosebud in a special ANZAC day match on Thursday.
Edgeworth FC v Adamstown Rosebud
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Cooks Hill United FC v Lake Macquarie City FC
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Valentine FC v Newcastle Olympic
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Broadmeadow Magic v Maitland FC
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
