Minor Semi-Final
Lake Macquarie City FC v Broadmeadow Magic
Macquarie Field, Sunday 4pm
Broadmeadow Magic coach Jason Konjarski admits his side likes knockout football as they take on Lake Macquarie City FC at Macquarie Field on Sunday afternoon in a do-or-die minor semi-final encounter.
Magic secured their spot in the finals series in the last round of the season when they defeated Charlestown Azzurri 1-0. They entered the round two points behind Adamstown Rosebud JFC and needed nothing less than a win to snatch fourth spot.
That has prepared them for another elimination match on Sunday, with their ability to handle knockout football further highlighted by their run to the Women’s State Cup final in July. Magic defeated Lakes 2-0 in the semi-final to book their place in the decider.
Now Konjarski wants to continue that trend.
“It's a massive boost for us, knowing that it’s must-win football and knockout football,” Konjarski said.
“We made the Women’s State Cup final and that was knockout football. We beat Lakes in that semi-final, and they might be hurting from that still. We won our knockout game last week that we had to win. So, at the moment, it looks like we like knockout football.
“I don't know what it is or why the girls like doing it the hard way, but we haven't sort of lost a knockout game that we've had to this year.”
Aside from the Women’s State Cup, Magic have been unable to defeat Lake Macquarie City throughout the season, recording a 3-3 draw, a 5-1 loss and a 0-0 draw. The loss came the last time the sides faced off at Macquarie Field.
But Konjarski believes the two draws show how evenly matched the sides are and questioned whether Lakes will be ready for a Magic side fully focused on the upcoming fixture.
“The two draws against them showed that we're pretty even with them. That 5-1 loss was not our greatest day,” Konjarski said.
“But I think it's going to be more a matter of how do they get up with all the rumours swirling? Apparently half of the Lakes team has signed at Kahibah already before finals. So it'll be interesting how they show up and if they're keen for it or ready for it because I know our girls are going to be, but whether or not they're up for it will be the challenge for them.
“Everyone's probably going to write us off and be like, ‘oh, they're lucky to make it. Adamstown lost, they won, so they're probably just lucky to be there’, which may be the case, but we're going into it confident and strong.
“They've obviously got players to look out for. We know Chelsea Lucas can hurt anyone when she's on. They've got a solid backline too, through the middle. They've got attack and defence down pat for them as well.
“So they're a great team, but with all the rumours swirling, will they be switched on or not? Is the answer for them, really.”
For his side, Konjarski wants Magic to continue their defensive form while returning to the attacking style that saw them score 38 goals during the season.
“Our defensive efforts over the last six, seven games, I think we've let in seven goals, and it's been a very improved offensive effort,” Konjarski said.
“Just on the attacking front, sort of getting back to what we were doing before. With Jess [Wallace] and Wimberley [Wright], a bit more free flowing, attacking sort of game while still being switched on in defence is going to be the aim of our game.”
Lake Macquarie City coach Gabrielle Blanch admitted they will not underestimate Magic but believes her side does not deserve to be eliminated.
Lakes secured their position in the finals early on, finishing third on the table on 25 points despite a loss in round 20 and the bye in round 21.
Now, Blanch wants to put their 4-0 loss to New Lambton FC behind them and showcase why they finished in the top four.
“That result is well and truly behind us,” Blanch said.
“We have to look forward, focus on the good things that have led us to a finals campaign and make sure we capitalise on every opportunity presented on Sunday.
“The focus is clear. We deserve to be here. We deserve not to be eliminated.
“We just have to show up and put our best foot forward and showcase the hard work that has gone into our top four finish.”
While the one-time Lakes defeated Magic this season came at Macquarie Field, Blanch is aware that finals football brings out a different side of teams and is ready to make the home ground advantage count.
“We will obviously home in on that win, and that performance, however finals football is a different game altogether,” Blanch said.
“We don't underestimate what Magic will bring to Sunday's match.”
Major Semi-Final
Maitland FC v New Lambton FC
Cooks Square Park, Saturday 4pm
New Lambton FC coach Craig Atkins wants to change the script when his side travels to Cooks Square Park on Saturday to take on Maitland FC in a battle for a spot in the grand final.
New Lambton have already beaten Maitland this season, but they have suffered heavy defeats on both previous visits to Cooks Square Park, losing 7-1 in round two and 8-0 in round nine.
The Golden Eagles finished the season second on the table with 46 points, three behind their major semi-final opponents.
New Lambton are the only side to defeat Maitland this season, securing a 2-1 victory at Alder Park in round 16. But the Magpies have been a different proposition on their home ground, where they have dominated both meetings.
Now, Atkins is determined to change the script in Maitland.
“We know for Maitland in Maitland that's where they're at their best. They play their best football on Cooks Square Park,” Atkins said.
“We understand the challenge that we face heading up there on Saturday and it hasn't been very enjoyable up there the last two times this year, but credit to the girls, they learnt and managed to get the win against them on the third occasion.
“They're going to be pumped in front of the home crowd, but our girls will go in with confidence as well, knowing that we have beat them once.
“It would be nice to turn the screws up there at Cooks Square.”
New Lambton enter the finals on the back of a dominant 10-0 win over Newcastle Olympic in round 21. Their form has been underlined by four consecutive victories, during which they scored 21 goals and conceded just one.
“That momentum is crucial,” Atkins said.
“I spoke to the girls on the weekend prior to the game and said to focus on the importance of momentum and making sure that when we get out there, we’re solid in all areas, all across the park. We're disciplined, we're organised and we need to be the ones on the front foot here. We need to take the game to them.
“Obviously in the first half we had a small lead, but a number of opportunities. Then we just tweaked a couple of things at half-time and were quite dominant in the second half.”
Atkins knows what will be required to defeat the Magpies on Saturday but is adamant there is no reason New Lambton cannot win at Cooks Square Park.
“It’s about discipline, the organisation and communication,” Atkins said.
“Maitland are such a mobile side all across the park, they can hurt you in all areas. We’ll work on a plan at training this week, obviously try and nullify a few of those areas.
“But it's a game where you've got to be on your toes and have your wits about you for 90 minutes.
“As I said to the girls, ‘you’ve done it before, so there's no reason we can't do it again’.”
Maitland will enter the major semi-final on a high after securing the premiership and their third trophy of the year with a 3-1 victory over Adamstown Rosebud JFC in the final round.
The Magpies have been the benchmark throughout the season and will now look to turn their dominant home record into a grand final berth.
Coach Ben Horgan will be determined to see his side secure a grand final spot at the first attempt, particularly after their hopes of an undefeated season slipped away in round 16.
Since that loss, Maitland have won the Women’s State Cup and five consecutive games, scoring 18 goals and conceding just two.
Those wins have also showcased their ability to fight until the very end, including a 1-0 victory over Broadmeadow Magic in round 20, when the decisive goal came in the 91st minute.
The Magpies will be hungry to avoid another slip-up on Saturday and will take confidence from their ability to find a way to win, even when games go down to the wire.
They will hope the game does not come down to another late deciding moment, but they will have the knowledge that they have done it before and can do it again.