Match of the Round
Newcastle Croatia 3-1 Wallsend FC
Newcastle Croatia head coach Joshua Popescu applauded his team's outstanding effort as his side ended Wallsend FC's automatic promotion hopes with a 3-1 win on the final day of the season.
The result confirmed third place for Croatia and has now set up a promotion/relegation play-off series rematch between the two sides next weekend.
It wasn't meant to be for Wallsend, a result that gives Lake Macquarie City FC automatic promotion into the NPL Men’s NNSW.
Wallsend made the perfect start, however, determined to look like champions from the opening whistle.
Starting with intent, a deflected clearance straight from a goal kick fell to Tyrell Paulson in the 12th minute, where he calmly finished it one-on-one to put Wallsend in front.
The goal, however, seemed to spark Croatia into life rather than rattle them, with the home side hitting the crossbar three times in the first half alone as they searched for a way back into the contest.
The equaliser came from a set-piece, with Nick Cowburn delivering a dangerous ball to the front post from a corner in the 33rd minute, where Luke Jovcevski made a great run into the box to head it home.
Level at 1-1 at the break, Wallsend went into the sheds with news starting to filter through that Lake Macquarie were leading 2-1, meaning three points were a must.
With Wallsend needing a goal, it was Croatia who started the second half the more positively.
Cowburn turned provider into scorer, finishing off a well-worked one-two in the 62nd minute to put the home side in front and leave Wallsend needing two goals in the final half-hour to rescue their automatic promotion hopes.
Wallsend began to push for a way back, but it was Croatia who continued to look the more likely to score, before the contest sparked a late twist.
Wes Pryce, already on a yellow card, was shown a second and reduced Croatia to 10 men in the 68th minute.
With more than 20 minutes remaining, the game appeared to be turning on its head, with Wallsend given a lifeline to try and get back into the game.
Despite being down to 10 men, Croatia refused to sit back and invite pressure, continuing to play with the same intent.
The visitors were made to pay for their inability to threaten Croatia’s defence when Cowburn stepped up to a free-kick just outside the box in the 77th minute and buried it into the bottom corner to complete his brace and extend the lead to 3-1.
Wallsend had the rest of the possession in the closing stages but could never seriously threaten an undermanned Croatia backline.
Time ticked away, and the Red Devils were unable to find the goals they needed, confirming Lake Macquarie’s title win after their 4-1 win over Toronto Awaba FC.
Popescu was full of praise for his side's response after conceding early, particularly given the 10-man disadvantage for the final stages of the game.
"We started off a bit shaky, but the desire these boys have is something else," Popescu said.
"Even reduced to 10 men, we stayed disciplined, didn't turn the ball over, and I don't think we let them have more than one shot on goal in that period.
“I'm just a really, really proud coach right now."
While the job is not over for Croatia, the result caps a standout first season for the club in the competition, with Popescu underlining just how much the three points meant on the day.
"This game was massive for us. We'd already beaten Lakes, and now knowing we can beat Wallsend heading into the play-offs, it shows what we’re capable of," Popescu said.
"To come third in our first year and beat a team that had only lost one game all season is a massive achievement."
Wasting no time, Popescu confirmed preparations for the play-offs would begin immediately.
"We need to stay focused, reflect on how Wallsend play, and just try to replicate what we did today,” Popescu said.
For Wallsend, the defeat ends their hopes of automatic promotion after a season that had them dreaming of the title.
Head coach Chris Gallagher had no arguments about the result.
"They were the best team on the day; There's no way to sugarcoat it, they played really well, and they were up for it," Gallagher said.
Asked what proved decisive, Gallagher pointed to Croatia's experience in the big moments.
"Experience, that's really what it came down to. Players like Cowburn are one of the most experienced players in the competition, and if you give them too much time on the ball, they’re going to punish you."
Despite getting pipped at the post, Gallagher was quick to put the result in perspective given the scale of the club's turnaround over the past 12 months.
"The club's done an amazing job; the players, the committee, the kids, everybody involved," Gallagher said.
"Everything's moving forward, and we've just got to keep the momentum going. We're by no means dead and buried yet."
Looking ahead to the rematch with Croatia in the promotion/relegation play-off series, Gallagher's message was simple.
"Win; simple as that. If we can get effective pressure on key players, we can go a long way to rectifying today's result."
While missing out on automatic promotion from their own hands will sting, the position Wallsend found themselves in is one to be proud of.
Playing for the title on the final day of the season is a remarkable turnaround for a club that was fighting relegation in the same round twelve months ago.
Croatia and Wallsend will now meet again in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off series.
A win for Wallsend in that rematch would go a long way to putting Saturday's result behind them and reopening the door to the NPL Men’s NNSW.
For Croatia, victory would extend their impressive first season in the competition and put them in control of their own promotion push.
West Wallsend SFC 1-1 South Cardiff FC
South Cardiff FC secured their place in the HIT106.9 Northern League One for another season, a gritty 1-1 draw at West Wallsend SFC enough to survive the drop after Toronto Awaba FC's 4-1 defeat elsewhere sealed the Stags' relegation.
The Gunners have rescued their season at the most important stage, overtaking Toronto to survive relegation on the final day for a second consecutive year.
Looking to start the game with intent, the script started perfectly for the Gunners, going ahead inside two minutes when Jemila Oko beat his man out wide and picked out Josh Winiarczyk, who tapped it home to make it 1-0.
The early goal put South Cardiff in a favourable position in the fight for survival, and while West Wallsend started to settle into the game after the sluggish start, it was the visitors who came closest to adding a second, seeing a set-piece effort cleared off the line.
South Cardiff went into the break 1-0 up, with news filtering through that Toronto are trailing behind Lake Macquarie City FC 2-1, putting the Gunners in a strong position without yet being able to rely on it.
West Wallsend pushed to spoil the party in the second half, but South Cardiff continued to defend strongly and keep the hosts at arm's length.
As the game wore on, results elsewhere swung further in the Gunners' favour, with Lake Macquarie extending their lead to 3-1 by the 75th minute.
Even so, South Cardiff still knew they needed at least a point of their own at Johnston Park to guarantee survival.
Heading into the final minutes, West Wallsend refused to go quietly, levelling the game in the 83rd minute when Bailey Stoimenoff was on hand at the back post to convert a dangerous set-piece delivery.
With Toronto conceding again and staring down a 4-1 loss elsewhere, South Cardiff knew a draw would be enough.
With West Wallsend having just equalised, the closing stages turned into a nervous, tense finish, with the message simple: hold the draw, and stay up.
The Gunners dug in, saw out the defensive duties required of them, and held firm to see out the 1-1 draw.
There were scenes of relief and delight at full-time for South Cardiff, who have now avoided relegation on the final day of the season for a second year running.
It's not a position the club wants to find itself in continuously, but there were still moments to build on, including strong performances in the campaign when it mattered most.
For West Wallsend, the draw closes out an inconsistent and, by their own standards, disappointing season, finishing seventh.
There will be some relief in ending a four-game losing streak on the final day, giving way to a needed off-season for the Bluebells as they rest and reset for a stronger campaign next year.
Toronto Awaba FC 1-4 Lake Macquarie City FC
Lake Macquarie City FC have been crowned HIT106.9 Northern League One champions, producing a professional 4-1 win over Toronto Awaba FC to overtake Wallsend FC on the final day and claim automatic promotion into the NPL Men’s NNSW for 2027.
The stakes could not have been higher, with Toronto needing a result to preserve their status in the division, while Lake Macquarie required nothing less than a win to claim the title, provided results elsewhere went their way.
Both sides went in keeping one eye open for what was unfolding elsewhere, but it was the Roosters who played like champions from the opening whistle.
A mishit clearance fell to Samuel Walker in the 10th minute, and although his effort was saved, Carter Smith was on hand to finish home the rebound and put Lake Macquarie in front.
The goal landed at the worst possible time for Toronto, coinciding with news that South Cardiff FC had taken a 1-0 lead over West Wallsend SFC.
Things worsened for the Stags soon after, when a dangerous corner delivery from Lake Macquarie’s Jay Troyer in the 17th minute deflected into their own net to make it 2-0.
Despite the poor start, Toronto started to respond well, working their way into dangerous areas and earning a corner of their own in the 30th minute.
The set-piece was only half-cleared, and Ryan Dundas was able to bring the ball down and finish, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and giving the Stags a lifeline.
The remainder of the first half was tight, and the sides went into the sheds with that score intact.
By then, word had filtered through that Newcastle Croatia were drawing with Wallsend, meaning Lake Macquarie knew a win alone would be enough to claim the title, provided Wallsend failed to find one of their own.
South Cardiff's 1-0 lead over West Wallsend also made it a must-score situation for Toronto after the break, but it was Lake Macquarie who continued to dictate terms, restricting the Stags to few sights of goal.
News soon broke that Wallsend had fallen behind 2-1 to Croatia, further benefiting the Roosters title chances.
With Wallsend now needing two, it became a case of Lake Macquarie simply doing their job and seeing the game out, setting up an anxious finish.
Those nerves started to settle in the 75th minute, when a well-weighted ball over the top released substitute Markus Wolscher, who made no mistake in a one-on-one to make it 3-1.
Word arrived minutes later that Wallsend now trailed 3-1 themselves, with the title as good as won given even a Wallsend draw wouldn't be enough to overtake the Roosters on goal difference.
Confirmation followed in the 84th minute, when Wolscher again made an impact, winning a penalty that Carter Smith calmly dispatched to complete a 4-1 win.
The goal also capped a superb individual campaign for Smith, his 20th of the season sealing the golden boot for 2026.
For Toronto, there was a faint sliver of hope, however, when late on, West Wallsend equalised against South Cardiff, a result that meant the Bluebells were one goal away from keeping the Stags up.
With South Cardiff able to defend well, however, it wasn't to be, with West Wallsend unable to find a winner and Toronto's relegation to Zone League One confirmed at full-time.
It marks one of the club's darkest days, coming after twice falling just short of NPL Men’s NNSW promotion themselves the last two seasons.
Though there will be a determination to bounce straight back up next season, it marks a disheartening end to what has been a surprising season.
For Lake Macquarie, the scenes at full-time were jubilant, sealing a season that will be remembered as one of the club's finest.
Having handed the initiative to Wallsend just a week earlier with a draw against South Cardiff, the response on the final day was as good as it gets, capping off a campaign built on standout performances at both ends of the park.
A statement win for Lake Macquarie confirms their return to the NPL Men’s NNSW after relegation from the competition in 2024.
For Toronto, the result ends a disappointing season in relegation, with the club now turning its focus to an immediate return to HIT106.9 Northern League One.
Singleton Strikers 2-4 Dudley Redhead United
Dudley Redhead United closed out the season in style, backing up last week's win with a 4-2 victory over Singleton Strikers to finish the campaign in fifth place.
Having missed their chance to reach the promotion play-offs weeks earlier, back-to-back wins to close out the year gave the Thistles a good send-off, underlining their credentials as one of the league's tougher outfits.
Dudley played with confidence and freedom from the outset, and it paid off in the 19th minute when Kye McLean was played through and finished composed in front of goal.
Singleton had chances of their own in reply, but Dudley doubled their advantage in the 39th minute, with Joseph Soergel left unmarked to head home from a well-placed delivery and leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
With both sides having little left to play for in the season beyond pride, the second half opened up and delivered plenty of action.
Singleton pulled one back in the 62nd minute when Jackson Cox was brought down in the box, and Hayden Nicol made no mistake from the spot.
Despite giving the Strikers a great chance of a comeback, Dudley responded almost immediately, restoring their two-goal cushion through Samuel Dunkley in a well-worked play to make it 3-1.
The contest looked settled until substitute Brodie Deacon poked home an easy tap-in after the goalkeeper fumbled a set-piece delivery, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and setting up an entertaining finish.
Dudley made sure of the points late on, however, with substitute Blayke Reeves finishing off a well placed delivery from Riley Ferguson out wide to complete the 4-2 scoreline.
The result caps an inconsistent campaign for Singleton, who finish eighth after slipping from a promotion play-off position last season, a season that will be remembered for some highs but ultimately ends in disappointment.
For Dudley, it's been a season defined by growth, and while falling short of the promotion play-offs will sting, the club can be proud of establishing themselves as one of the league's toughest opponents in just their second season in the division.
With the sides below them set to recruit heavily over the off-season, Dudley will look to use this campaign as the platform to push into the top four next year.
For Singleton, the season ends with plenty to reflect on after a campaign that fell short of last year's heights.
New Lambton FC 4-3 Cessnock City Hornets
New Lambton FC closed out the regular season with a thrilling 4-3 win over Cessnock City Hornets, though it was not enough to secure third place after Newcastle Croatia saw off then league leaders Wallsend FC elsewhere.
New Lambton's spot in the top four was already locked in heading into the round, but third place remained the target given the promotion play-off benefits attached to it.
It was Cessnock who made the early running, however, taking the lead through Mitchel Brown, who tapped home a ball that fell to him from a corner.
The visitors then doubled their advantage minutes later through returning Hornets top scorer Zac Kronholm, back from a lengthy suspension, who was picked out at the back post to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute.
The setback sparked New Lambton into life, pulling one back from their own set-piece when the ball fell kindly to Jeongbin Kim to make it 2-1.
The hosts continued to push and were rewarded again just before the break, with Jackson McClymont's dangerous ball into the box turned into the back of the net off a Cessnock defender to leave the sides level at 2-2 at half-time.
The setback proved a killer blow for Cessnock, with New Lambton taking control from there.
McClymont was involved again in the 65th minute, netting his own before Raima Itabasi was sent through one-on-one to make it 4-2 just two minutes later.
Kronholm gave Cessnock a lifeline with a well-struck volley in the 71st minute, but the visitors couldn't find a way back, with New Lambton holding on to seal an entertaining 4-3 win.
The defeat sums up a season of fine margins for Cessnock, a side that has shown quality at times but been undone by moments of inconsistency.
Positively, results elsewhere did ensure they held onto sixth place regardless, building on last season's finish and pointing to a club heading in the right direction.
For New Lambton, the win closes out the regular season on a positive note, though the real test begins next week in their first promotion/relegation play-off fixture.
They'll need to perform at their very best throughout the series if they're to return to the NPL Men’s NNSW after last season's relegation.
Their attention now turns to preparation against NPL outfit Kahibah FC, who will be looking to avoid an immediate return to the HIT106.9 Northern League One after their first season in the topflight of Newcastle.