Preliminary Final
Edgeworth FC 3-1 Charlestown Azzurri
Edgeworth FC coach Pete McGuinness was impressed with his team’s performance in their 3-1 win over Charlestown Azzurri in the preliminary final on Sunday.
The Eagles booked their ticket to the grand final after a valiant victory in front of a home crowd at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
The match was end to end for the first 45 minutes, with both teams eager to break the deadlock and take the lead in the do-or-die clash.
One of those attempts was by Rene Ferguson, who thought he had opened the scoring for Charlestown in the 41st minute after he struck the ball with power at close range towards the goal. But he was denied by the impressive reflexes of goalkeeper Ben Conway.
Azzurri’s goalkeeper Ben McNamara was also called into action in the 45th minute with an important save to deny Tyson Jackson’s strike.
Edgeworth finally broke through in stoppage time of the first half through Xander Woweries.
Ryan Feutz’s free kick from outside the penalty area ricocheted off Azzurri’s defensive wall and into the path of Woweries, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
Charlestown struck back early in the second half after Jarryd Sutherland scored off a wonderful free kick.
The Blues were awarded a free kick from outside the penalty area which Sutherland stepped up to take and for the second time in two weeks, buried his strike into the back of the net.
But Edgeworth edged ahead again in the 77th minute with a spectacular shot from Seth Clark.
The Kiwi powerhouse received the ball at the top of a busy penalty area and weaved his way through traffic. He pulled the trigger as he fell and sent the ball past the outstretched reach of McNamara.
Azzurri looked to level the score once again but it was Edgeworth who extended their lead in the 82nd minute on the counterattack.
Charlestown’s Reece McManus rocketed a wonder strike towards goal that forced Conway to pull out a top shelf save to deny him and pushed the ball out to his teammate Flynn Goodman who sent a long ball down the pitch to Feutz.
It was a foot race between Feutz and Charlestown defenders Taylor Regan and Quinton Phillips-Tapsell which the Eagles’ striker won and motored towards goal.
Feutz turned Regan inside out before he sliced the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to secure the win and the grand final for his side.
McGuinness was thrilled for his team to bounce back after last week’s loss to Broadmeadow Magic and put in a strong performance.
“I thought overall we were good value for the win,” McGuinness said.
“I was impressed with the boys’ performances.
“In the second half I thought we were creative with the ball, worked hard to create chances and took the good moments created.”
Edgeworth’s coach praised his players’ defensive efforts to keep Charlestown out for large patches of the game.
“I thought Chris Fayers did a really good job at centre-back. He’s played there a few times and has done really well. He did so again against Azzurri,” McGuinness said.
“I thought all of the boys stood up to the physicality and speed of the game.
“I thought the boys defended the box with desperation and aggression against a dangerous side.”
McGuinness said that although Edgeworth were thrilled to get the win, the job was not done yet.
“The boys were very pleased with the result but we spoke after the game about the importance of next week,” McGuinness said.
“It is a great reward to be there on grand final day for so many people involved at Edgeworth. There are so many important people involved from the day to day football operations and the game day volunteers, along with staff and players. This one is for them.
“Getting to the grand final is a great achievement considering where we were after five rounds but the job is not yet complete.”
Charlestown captain Nigel Boogaard said that his team was shattered to bow out of the competition.
“Not the outcome that we wanted. We are a bit disappointed,” Boogaard said.
“We were in it for chunks of the game but at the end of the day, we didn’t capitalise on our chances and [Edgeworth] did. They created a few more chances than us.
“It is disappointing after the season we have had with such a good back end of the year. A lot of people didn’t think we could go as far as we did.
“It’s hard to get so close but not quite make it. But credit to Edgeworth, they played well.”
The match was Boogaard’s final NPL Men’s NNSW game after he announced his retirement at the end of this season.
Boogaard said that although it was not the fairy tale finish he was after, he looked back fondly on his time at the club.
“I am massively proud of the group. The work ethic and discipline shown from the boys when they really needed to was big,” Boogaard said.
“There are mixed emotions with a bit of frustration and sadness that we couldn’t achieve that grand final appearance. But I have enjoyed my time at the club.
“I have really enjoyed my time at the club with the coaching staff and playing group.
“Being a local boy from Redhead, Charlestown was my local side that I supported. It was nice to come back here to play and give back to the local football community. The club has been great to me.
“I hope that the club can get back to winning ways and cross the line to win a grand final.
“I am looking forward to some time off, to give my body a rest, take some time away from the game and spend time with my family.
“I will still be a spectator and will be going to the matches to watch with my kids.”
Edgeworth will take on Broadmeadow Magic in the grand final at Magic Park on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The reserve grade grand final will take place beforehand, with Newcastle Olympic up against Broadmeadow Magic at 12pm.