Match of the Round
Broadmeadow Magic 3-0 Newcastle Olympic
Broadmeadow Magic’s skipper Jeremy Wilson was thrilled his side could get one over their rivals Newcastle Olympic after a 3-0 win in the red and blue derby.
Magic’s men continue their dominance in the competition with six from six wins to take them to the top of the table with 18 points.
Olympic was dealt with a big blow in the lead-up to Sunday's match, with defender Jacob Pepper ruled out after he sustained a calf injury in training.
Riley Smith opened the scoring in the 24th minute with an excellent team goal. Thomas Beecham launched the ball from halfway into the path of Alexander Rose who passed the ball to Bailey Wells. The midfielder curled the ball into the penalty area to James Crenar, who struck the ball on the volley onto the foot of Smith who smashed the ball into the back of the net also on the volley.
Olympic had the opportunity to equalise three minutes later but Rhys Cooper was denied by the woodwork.
Magic went into the sheds at half time with a one-goal advantage before they extended their lead in the 63rd minute.
Wells showcased his class as he charged down the pitch before he cut back in on his defender and curled the ball past Adam Pearce and into the top right corner of the goal.
Jarred Baker put the game to bed in the 77th minute. Jayden Stewardson ducked and weaved around his defenders inside the penalty to slice the ball across to an unmarked Baker who made no mistake and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Wilson was pleased with the performance of his team and that they secured another three points against their rivals.
“I think we played really well. It was one of our best games this year,” Wilson said.
“Keeping a clean sheet was a goal for us this game which we achieved.
“It’s always good to get one over Olympic.
“It’s very important to be at the top of the table as it gives other teams something to chase and adds pressure on the sides who still have a game to make up.”
Olympic coach Paul De Vitis was disappointed with the result and to have lost a third straight game.
“The result was really disappointing,” De Vitis said.
“We were ready for the game and prepared well but then once we were out there when we had our chances we didn’t take them.
“The game ebbed and flowed for both teams but they (Magic) took their chances.
“We have lost three matches in a row but in all of those games we have created enough to win. Now we just need to make sure that our finals product is better.”
The win sees Magic move to the top of the table with 18 points but second-place Lambton Jaffas are only three points behind with a game in hand.
Cresnar will hope his side can keep the good times rolling when they host the reigning premiers and champions in a top-of-the-table clash.
Olympic has fallen to seventh on the table and will want to try and turn things around when they return home to Darling Street Oval to face Charlestown Azzurri on Sunday afternoon.
Valentine FC 0-2 Edgeworth FC
Edgeworth secures their first victory of the season with a 2-0 defeat against Valentine FC on Saturday night at Croudace Bay Complex.
The Eagles finally found their groove after a tough five rounds, to spoil the Phoenix’s undefeated streak and move up the table into eighth position.
Joseph Melmeth broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute to put Edgeworth ahead, as he tapped the ball past Brodie Volkiene.
Flynn Goodman carried the ball up the field before he took a strike that curled around Valentine’s defence. The ball was slightly nudged by Volkiene onto the post before it fell into the path of Melmeth, who made no mistake and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Momentum continued to go in the Eagles' favour when they were awarded a penalty for a foul inside the penalty area in the 55th minute.
Melmeth charged towards the goal as Volkiene sprinted off his line and collected the attacker, which resulted in the decision of the spot kick.
Goodman stepped up to the spot and sent Phoenix’s shot-stopper the wrong way, with a hard and low strike into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Valentine tried to claw their way back into the game but was unable to capatalise on their chances late in the game.
The Phoenix’s coach was disappointed with the result and that his side was unable to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
“We weren’t at the level we needed to be at,” Hughes said.
“We still managed to create moments and chances until the end of the game but our performance wasn’t our best.
“I don’t think that our hunger and desire was there and we didn’t have that fight that was there in other games.
“It is still very early in the season and we still have a long way to go on working things out and the way different players come into the side.”
The Eagles will hope that they can secure another three points next Saturday when they travel to Alder Park to face New Lambton FC.
Adam Hughes will look for his side to respond from their first defeat of the season when they host Weston Workers FC next Saturday.
Charlestown Azzurri 1-3 Weston Workers FC
Weston Workers FC knocks the league leaders Charlestown Azzurri from their throne with a 3-1 defeat at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Things started poorly for the Bears when attacker Thomas Duggan was forced from the field in the 13th minute with an ankle injury.
The two sides created multiple chances at goal in the first half, but they went into the sheds locked up at 0-0.
Weston edged ahead through Christopher Hatfield in the 53rd minute after a one-two pass with substitute Blake Archbold that allowed him to launch the ball into the back of the net.
Hatfield struck again in the 65th minute when he beat defender Nigel Boogard and drove towards goal and sliced it past Ben McNamara to double Weston’s advantage.
Azzurri clawed one back when Jackson Frendo smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 70th minute.
But Archbold put the game to bed three minutes later when Hatfield switched from goal scorer to provider and curled a ball past Azzurri’s defence and straight into the path of Archbold who hit the ball over McNamara and into the goal.
The loss is Azzurri’s first of the season and sees them slip down the table into third place. They will be eager to bounce back when they travel to Darling Street to take on Newcastle Olympic.
Weston has moved up the table into fifth on equal seven points with Maitland FC. But the Magpies have a game in hand which could see them overtake the Bears.
Kew Jaliens will hope his team can continue their momentum when they hit the road again to face Valentine FC.
Lake Macquarie City FC v Adamstown Rosebud FC
This game was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Cooks Hill United FC v New Lambton FC
This game was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Maitland FC v Lambton Jaffas
This game was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
