Grand Final
New Lambton FC v Belmont Swansea United
Jack McLaughlan Oval, Saturday 3PM
The 2022 Northern League One season will reach its climax on Saturday when premiers New Lambton face runners-up Belmont Swansea United at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
The sides have faced each other twice this season, with New Lambton coming away with two 2-1 wins in tight affairs. Leaving Belswans to head into the decider as underdogs.
Belswans have been arguably the most successful side in the competition since coach Mick Stafford took the reigns in 2016.
During the last seven years, excluding the 2021 season when no finals were held, Belswans have qualified for the finals series on every occasion, made five grand finals and will look to secure their third grand final victory during Stafford’s last season with the club before he takes a break from coaching.
New Lambton entered Northern League One in 2017 after being promoted from the Zone Premier League. Since arriving in the competition New Lambton have been on a climb up the ranks to become the team to beat, having secured their third consecutive premiership this season.
Despite being crowned premiers three times, the club has yet to win a grand final and be crowned champions. They have made one grand final since their inclusion in the competition, going down 2-0 to Singleton Strikers in 2019. The Eagles will be on the hunt to win a championship before their promotion to the NPL Men’s NNSW competition next season.
"In terms of the boys, it's pure excitement and a bit of hunger to get out there,” New Lambton coach Tom Davies said.
“Grand finals are always great to be a part of and it should be a great day for the club. We'll make sure they have a good week at training and everyone will be excited to play in a grand final but it's about making the most of it.
“It's going to be a difficult match. With Belswans and us being the two best teams [and having us] in the final is what you want in your grand finals.
"A huge credit to everyone involved. The committee had a pretty clear vision when they came into the division of one day getting to the NPL. Obviously [to progress], you need to win things, play good football and have your [senior] teams dominate the competitions, which has come to the forefront in the last three seasons, so it's been really positive.
“Trying to stay up there is always difficult year to year so credit to the boys and we've got a core group that's been there for the journey the last three seasons."
Davies’ New Lambton have been the side to beat this season, with their only loss coming in the first game of the season, losing 4-2 against West Wallsend. Since then they have been formidable, only slipping up with three draws while winning every other fixture, including the recent 6-0 drubbing of Kahibah in the major semi-final.
“It's a matter of being structurally sound defensively, being aware of [Belswans’] strengths when they have the ball and making sure we're really switched on in key moments throughout the game,” Davies said.
“Finals sometimes come down to one moment if it's cagey, which I expect it will be. Belswans are usually well organised and we're aware of that.
“We have to be patient on the ball, make sure we're positive, stick to our guns and play the way we've been playing all year. Whoever wins the game at the end of the day they're the team that lifts the trophy. The old saying goes, it is just another day of football but there's more spice and hopefully a little more energy you'd expect from your team, considering the occasion.
"I think what's been really strong for us this year is when we’ve called upon someone, whoever that individual is that pops up in front of goal or has to step in defensively, they’ve really shared the load. Not everyone is going to have their best day and it’s just up to those players to come through at the forefront of those games.
“But in the final, you'd expect everyone to be up for it like the semi-final where it wasn't a bad performance in that game. It does take a team to make sure that those key players get into the right areas and put the ball into the back of the net but we need to be making sure we're defending from the front and really strong in all aspects.”
New Lambton received a huge boost on Wednesday night when Dylan Bozinovski's suspension, following his send off in the major semi-final against Kahibah, was overturned on appeal.
"As a club we're pretty excited to be in another grand final, so it should hopefully be a good way to finish off the last Northern League One [season] for the foreseeable future. I'm sure there will be a big crowd there, so it should be an exciting day,” Davies said.
Finals football seems to be Stafford’s speciality over his tenure at Belswans. Despite not grasping a regular season premiership, Stafford has made four grand finals and been crowned champions twice.
It has not been smooth sailing for the team though. Belswans were forced to take the alternative route to the grand final due to their unfortunate 1-0 loss in the qualifying final to Kahibah. They also have struggled to score recently with only three goals in their last six games.
But Stafford said the “shackles will come off” for the main event.
"We're just very excited to have all three grades competing for trophies on Saturday and in first grade against a quality team in New Lambton. It's everything you'd hoped for at the end of the season,” Stafford said.
"This season has been seven years in the making and our two grand final wins have shown the success in first grade. The focus from there was to build a competitive club with youth pathways and I think that's evident now. With all three grades in, plus our youth and JDL going so well, it's been a great year for the club.
"We've shown club spirit and resilience throughout the year. The message has always been to focus on what we can control and the boys have shown good commitment, turned up and done the hard work.
“It was evident after we lost to Kahibah [in the qualifying final] how that team spirit got us through to where we are now. It's a good effort in what has been a crazy year.
"I'll take the shackles off the boys. I've made them grind out clean sheets because I know it works in this division. We've been here long enough to know what you have to do on [these] fields to get three points, so definitely, the shackles will come off.
“Everyone will be there to enjoy the day. There's no pressure on us. We can just go there, represent our club and community as best we can and hopefully come away with a trophy."
On paper the two sides have quality all over the park and it is unlikely to come down to individual performance. Stafford stated whichever side produced a concerted team effort would emerge victors at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
"New Lambton are a good, sharp and fit side and deserve to be where they are,” Stafford said.
“But they're going to be very anxious and nervous to come away with their first grand final win. I'll lean on the six or seven guys that have done it before. I've got confidence in their ability.
“We'll look to start the game strong and aggressive, then hopefully get the ball down and play some football on a good pitch. We've been criticised all year for our style of play but at the end of the day, we're one of the teams in the grand final and hopefully we can show how good we are against another good New Lambton team.
"It should be a cracking game. I think who can get control of the midfield and nullify attacks will be key for both teams. Both teams have great attacks, with Riley [Taylor] and Joel [Caldwell for New Lambton] and we've got Kane Woolston, Cameron Lodge and Joel Nicholson. So it will come down to defence and we're decent in defence with six clean sheets over the last few weeks."
Belswans will again have unknown availability until the last moments which has been a common theme for the side this season.
"At this stage we have a few guys touch and go, Stafford said.
“But it's been the same thing every game this season, so I'm not surprised. But I have a great reserve grade team and even under-18s team that I can grab players from. The boys will be given to the last minute to be ready for what is a big Saturday of football.
"Just excited to see our local community out there supporting us and again, good luck to New Lambton and looking forward to a great battle on Saturday."
In the lower grades, Kahibah FC will meet Belmont Swansea United in the reserve grade grand final (12.30pm), while New Lambton and Belswans will also meet in the under-18s decider (10am).