Match of the Round
New Lambton FC 2-0 Cessnock City Hornets
New Lambton FC celebrated their premiership triumph in front of their home fans in fine style as the Eagles came away with a tight 2-0 victory over Cessnock City Hornets on Sunday.
New Lambton were clear favourites to take a notable victory heading into the finals series after their 2-2 draw with Kahibah last week. But despite having nothing to play for, Cessnock showed up to Alder Park with something to prove.
The Hornets gave the Eagles a decent shake in the first half as they looked hungrier than the hosts. But New Lambton’s quality was able to grind it out to keep the match scoreless at half-time.
Cessnock goalkeeper Ethan Gunther was again on fire, making several crucial saves throughout the match. It took a lazy mistake to break the deadlock.
Cessnock left back Kevin Van Gool played a weak pass back to Gunther, gifting striker Chase Lattimore a perfect opportunity to pounce on the loose ball and slot home.
After Lewis Howells was shown a second yellow card New Lambton’s extra number allowed them to take more control of the game.
New Lambton struck another stroke of luck when a heavily deflected shot fell at the feet of Riley Taylor, who pinged it past Gunther to the far side of the goal.
New Lambton coach Tom Davies was disappointed with his side’s performance but happy a result eventuated leading into the finals.
"It wasn't our best performance and it was a bit of a grind,” Davies said.
“I thought our intensity wasn't at the level it needed but we picked up in the second half. We maybe got a little bit lucky with a goal but credit to Chase and Riley Taylor, who worked really hard today and probably deserved a goal each.
“We rested a few players as there were a few niggles. So we gave some of the younger boys an opportunity which is really good to see.”
Davies seemed surprised by how Cessnock showed up, playing like they had something on the line.
"I thought we should have been better in a couple of moments and [Cessnock] worked really hard and made it difficult for us, so credit to them for making a game of it and challenging,” Davies said.
“But the boys kept going and [Alex] Bozinovski made some really good saves, particularly at the end, to keep us in front. Otherwise 1-1 changes the game. But we managed to kick on and get another goal towards the end.
"But overall we're really proud of the boys. We haven't lost a game since our first one [against West Wallsend] at the start of the season, which hurt. But the boys have kicked on from then and really drove home to get three premierships in a row. So I'm really proud of the efforts and it is a really great achievement for the playing group and club with NPL promotion as well.
"In the end to get the three points today was a bit of a grind but good to see the boys were able to get a couple of goals in that second half."
Cessnock coach Brad Miles was happy with the way his side played and hoped he could continue this style into next season.
"We competed really well against a quality team,” Miles said.
“I thought we had our chances but we didn't put any away. Losing Lewis Howells with about 20 minutes to go didn't help. We'll learn from our mistakes and carry on next year.
"We played some pretty good footy, especially in the first half. When you’re chasing the game, it's a bit harder to pass it around, you start going more direct. But overall I think we've done pretty well.
"It was quite a tight tussle, very back and forth. We gifted them the first goal, then pushed people forward when we lost a man at the back. It's always hard when you’re a man down.
"Most of these boys have re-signed already, so if we get a couple more experienced, NPL players come and help us out a bit in the areas. And if we can't get them, I'm happy with the boys we've got. They're growing, learning and we're looking forward to next year."
After securing their third consecutive premiership, New Lambton will enjoy the first weekend of the finals off as they await the winner of the qualifying final between Belmont Swansea United and Kahibah FC in the major semi-final in week two.
South Cardiff FC 2-4 West Wallsend SFC
West Wallsend keep their finals hopes alive and set up a blockbuster match against Singleton on Wednesday after a turbulent comeback against South Cardiff on Sunday.
The Bluebells opened the scoring at Ulinga Oval with a confident header off a corner from centre-back Ben Higgins.
But soon after South Cardiff striker Jack Diebold chipped goalkeeper Joel Magnee, levelling the score at half-time.
West Wallsend were gifted an opportunity to retake the lead with a penalty. Matty Paul stepped up to take it, but a double save from goalkeeper Zac Hamilton kept the Gunners in the game.
The star showing from Hamilton proved crucial as South Cardiff found themselves a penalty directly after at the other end, with Diebold finishing it to steal a 2-1 lead.
But fullback turned striker Josh Knight equalised once again as West Wallsend continued to drive for another goal to keep their finals hope alive.
Brock Oakley and substitute George Osmand were able to seal the game and victory for the Bluebells, setting up a win-or-go-home scenario against Singleton on Wednesday night.
"It was a real even game and could have gone any way,” South Cardiff coach Scott Taylor said.
“We hit the post twice, hit the crossbar once, [West Wallsend] missed a penalty. If one of them hit, it could have been [a different outcome]. We had six first-team starters out, so really proud of the guys who played and put in for the last game,but it was not to be.”
It was an unfortunate season for the Gunners, as their new-look side were hopeful of a top-five finish. But they will now look to rebuild again as Taylor will take a year’s break, going on a well-deserved holiday back to the United Kingdom.
"[The season] was frustrating. Never known a season with weather like this and I'm going to say it hindered us as a new group of players trying to get together,” Taylor said.
“I think it's a case of could have, should have. We could have been sitting in a much different position but at the end of the day, you are where you are on the table. Inconsistency is the key word for us. But we were not too far away, that's for sure."
West Wallsend coach Darren Sills was happy with his side's desperation in the second half against his old club and needs them to display it throughout the entire 90 minutes come Wednesday.
"I used to be part of [South Cardiff] back in 2007 and '08 and I loved every minute being at the Gunners and it was good to get back there and catch up with a couple of old boys,” Sills said.
“I thought [South Cardiff] did really well considering they didn't have anything to play for.
“It was a very dry, bumpy pitch, which is opposite to what we've been playing on recently and it was hard for any team to play decent footy. But to [South Cardiff's] credit, they had nothing to play for other than pride and they did really well.
"We were a little bit desperate today. At 2-1 we could have turned it off but we didn't. They got desperate and we just threw everything at them and fortunately we won.”
West Wallsend are sixth after the win, one point behind fifth-placed Singleton who they will meet in their rescheduled round 16 match at Civic Park on Wednesday night.
The Bluebells must win if they are to play finals football, while a draw would be enough to clinch fifth for the Strikers. Though a win for Singleton would see them leapfrog Toronto Awaba into fourth.
“I think we need to be a bit more desperate from earlier in the match against Singleton, which I'm sure they will be. It is a grand final, do or die. [Singleton have] only got to have a draw, so I imagine they'll set up defensively and try and get us on the counter,” Sills said.
"We're going to be really up against it on Wednesday night but we'll give it our best shot."
Unfortunately for Sills, the injury table at West Wallsend is racking up.
Bailey Jensen and Dain Greentree are out with ankle injuries, Brendan Frost and Josh Deaves are out with hamstring injuries, Josh Carroll is out due to suspension and Josh Maguire is in doubt with a calf injury.
Kahibah FC 3-2 Wallsend FC
A potential third upset in three weeks for Wallsend was on the cards before two late penalties saved Kahibah from an embarrassing defeat on Old Boy’s Day on Sunday.
Brad York continued his fine form and opened the scoring for Wallsend at Kahibah Oval. Kahibah goalkeeper Scott Carter punched the ball straight to York, who sent it home and scored his fourth goal in four games.
Kahibah then equalised through veteran striker Rhys Tippett, slotting home a composed one-on-one finish as the sides entered the half-time break at 1-1.
Wallsend scored a well-worked goal soon after, cutting back from the by-line to Matty Williams who finished it, giving the Red Devils the lead and a crack at another win.
But a string of discouraging events for Wallsend, starting with the double send-off of Williams and Kahibah player Liam Whitehead, allowed Kahibah back into the game.
It was inevitably two late penalties that gave the Rams the victory. Curtis Baggs scored the first from the goalkeepers’ parry and Jasper Sambrook smashed home the second penalty and third goal to take the 3-2 victory.
The win also secured third place for the Rams.
"It was pretty scrappy and it wasn't one of our best performances,” Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff said.
“Like a fair few times this year, we found a way to win and did it by the penalty spot a couple of times late and the big crowd today made it a fitting end to the day. I think we got away with it.
“But credit to Wallsend, they were a much better team than the first time we played them. They have quality across the park and Greg Anderson came on in the end to sort of park the bus.
“They have the base of a really good team. [Even though] the results don't show that they definitely came to play today and had us on the ropes for a while. Still we found a way to win and get three points, patch ourselves up and get ready for Belswans on Saturday."
Wallsend coach Mick Gatt was frustrated with the string of events that led to the loss on Sunday but was still satisfied with his side leading into the next season.
"There was a lot of end-to-end aerial ping pong,” Gatt said.
“The ground didn't give us any chance of playing any decent football. It was all just aerial bombing and chasing, so we had to adapt to it. But the boys did well. To be 2-1 up with 20 to go, they did really well to stay with [Kahibah].
"I'm going to have a chat with all the boys this week and start to nut out next season. They've done themselves proud, they're a good squad.
“We're not trying to recreate the wheel or make massive changes as there is plenty of ability. After the game, even a few of the Kahibah guys said we don't deserve to be at the bottom of the table. The boys played their gut out again today and now it's about rebuilding in the offseason, get a couple of key signings and build on with the good crew that we've got."
Kahibah will take on Belmont Swansea United in the qualifying final in week one of the finals.
Belmont Swansea United 0-0 Singleton Strikers (match abandoned)
Belmont Swansea United and Singleton Strikers could not be split after an hour before their match had to be abandoned on Sunday due to a serious injury.
Belswans wide midfielder Matty Ellis suffered a broken leg in challenge in the 57th minute, with the match at Blacksmiths Oval cut short.
The 0-0 score at the time of the abandonment will stand as the result in accordance with Premier Competitions Regulation 28.3(h).
Singleton are already playing a rescheduled match against West Wallsend on Wednesday night, with the finals to start next weekend.
That leaves Singleton in fifth place on 24 points, one clear of the Bluebells. Belswans had already secured second place.
Singleton coach Mick Jarvis was confident his side could win against West Wallsend on Wednesday night and secure the last finals spot to face Toronto Awaba in the elimination final.
"For the minutes we played, it was quality,” Jarvis said.
“Both sides created chances, attacked well and held possession well. There were a couple of momentum stints for both sides and no one really dominated. It was pretty fair and I reckon the result was going to come down to the back end of the game.
"Joel Barner was causing havoc up front and there was a lot of tug and tussle in the game and Jackson Cox was insane. He was all over the place today.
"Out of six games we now have three wins, two draws and one loss. So we're in amongst everybody in the competition. For me the fact that nobody has put more than one goal on us [in the previous six] just cements [how confident the players are with the tactics].
"It's a shame it didn't go further because I felt a result coming.”
Jarvis wished Ellis all the best during his recovery on behalf of Singleton Strikers.
Belswans coach Mick Stafford said it was a good game and that his side played well against an intense Singleton, creating many chances but were unfortunate not to finish any off.
Stafford credited Woolston and goalkeeper Daniel Bryant on a good performance and labelled Ellis’ game a brilliant one until he broke his leg during a challenge which was deemed legal by the match officials.
Stafford commended the Singleton players and coaches for respecting the seriousness of the situation and putting Ellis before the game despite what they had on the line.
Toronto Awaba FC 1-1 Thornton Redbacks
Toronto will want to turn it up a few notches come finals after a lacklustre performance against Thornton, resulting in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
A Thornton team that were short on numbers held out Toronto comfortably at Lyall Peacock Field, with Jarrod Purcell coming the closest for Toronto in the first half, sending a header wide.
The Redbacks struck a goal on the brink of half-time, with Sam Rossi scoring at the end of a set piece, making it 1-0 to Thornton at the break.
Toronto finally arrived in the second half with Bailey Snowden rattling the crossbar from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Purcell eventually scored his header from a peach delivery from Snowden to equalise.
Nick Roberts almost gave Toronto the win at the end with a half-turn volley but an excellent save nullified the attempt and the game ended 1-1.
"We were pretty sloppy,” Toronto coach Jarrad Hiles said.
"We just didn't move the ball quick enough. Thornton had a couple of good chances and Drew [Olsen] made some good saves but credit to [Thornton]. They were down on numbers and had players backing up big minutes from reserve grade.
"We could have won it in the end. Nick Roberts had a half-turn volley. But it was hard to play as the pitch was bumpy and balls were rolling and popping up against the knee. But we got a draw out of it as the boys kept working.
"It's been 10 years [since we've been in finals]. So that's an achievement in itself. Just happy for everyone involved with the club and hopefully we cannot just make the semis but make an impact as well. We're not just there to make up the numbers. Hopefully we can do something."
Considering the circumstances, Thornton coach Gary Wand was over the moon with how his side played.
"I was very happy with how we went when you consider who we had out. We started with eight fresh players,” Wand said.
"The first half was pretty tame. Toronto played with a lot of pressure on them. They played like a team that didn't want to lose rather than go and win the game.
"It was a fairly lacklustre first half. Sam Rossi scored off a corner for us. A set piece that was only half cleared came out to one of our guys and scored with a ricochet after 15 minutes in the second half. We did really well, we just gave away a free kick in a dumb area and they scored. We got some of our own medicine back, they scored off a set piece.
"Plenty to take out of it as the whole team showed some real heart, which was fantastic.
“Coby Jenkinson played in reserve grade, then after, made his starting debut in first grade and did fantastic. Mick Foster did fantastic also. He played 80 minutes in reserve grade and come and played probably 35 minutes in first grade.”
