Preliminary Final
Broadmeadow Magic 1-2 Lambton Jaffas
Lambton coach Shane Pryce praised his side for rising to the occasion as Jaffas booked their place in the 2022 NPL Men’s NNSW grand final with a 2-1 win over Broadmeadow on Sunday.
Pryce said reaching the grand final was a tremendous achievement after what had been a long and arduous season for the club.
“This means everything to get to the grand final,” Pryce said.
“The year has been very trying, as far as the amount of games we have had to play in a certain time frame. It has been a trying year for everyone, we have been playing for a long, long time now with the extended finals series. I am just so proud we have made it to this stage. We won when it counted.”
Lambton will return to the grand final for the first time since their 2017 triumph against Edgeworth, while Broadmeadow Magic are left to begin preparations for next season.
Jaffas arrived at Magic Park for the second time this finals series looking for redemption after Broadmeadow beat them 2-1 in the qualifying final. Jaffas then defeated Newcastle Olympic 2-0 in the minor semi-final to keep their season alive and set up the preliminary final clash.
The defeat ended a stellar season for Broadmeadow Magic, with the young side going within a point of taking home the premiership before falling one match short of a grand final.
The hosts controlled proceedings early by holding the majority of possession but the game changed almost immediately when Kale Bradbery squared the ball to Jaffas teammate Ben Hay for the opening goal in the 20th minute.
Magic were not without their chances in the opening half but were unable to produce anything to trouble Lambton goalkeeper Ben Kennedy, as the Jaffas closed out the first half with a 1-0 advantage.
The stage was set for a tense second half with both sides vying for a chance to take on premiers Maitland in the grand final on Sunday.
But it was the Jaffas who again produced when it mattered as substitute Kai Bradley showed great determination to collect a ball that seemed destined to roll over the sideline. Bradley then found a clever cross into the penalty area for James Virgili who doubled their advantage with a volley from close range.
Bradbery was proving a handful whenever he touched the ball and the former Magic championship winner was unlucky to not have put the result beyond doubt with a string of chances in the second half.
Magic then set up a tense finish when they pegged a goal back through Jordan Jackson courtesy of a Keanu Moore free kick to make it 2-1.
The parochial home crowd urged a desperate Magic side in the closing minutes of the clash but it was not to be for Damian Zane and his men.
Pryce was full of pride following Lambton’s heroic performance but said the job was not done yet as the Jaffas look to improve again heading into the grand final.
“The character and the perseverance of these players have been enormous,” Pryce said.
“I couldn’t ask any more from this team and I don't think they could ask any more from themselves. There is one more effort to go and one more chance to cap off the year with something special.
“I think the mindset from our guys was that it was do-or-die. We looked at a few things [after our last match against Magic] and changed a few things, a few roles with individuals. But we went in today with the mindset that this is ours and no one was taking it from us. We had a chance to put the game to bed but Magic came back but we held them off. I am really pleased with the group.
“We maybe haven’t had that synergy on the field for the last three or four weeks, we haven’t been at our best. But we have always been there, we were a lot more clinical today. We missed a few chances but we created a lot more. I was encouraged by this performance.”
Broadmeadow captain Jeremy Wilson reflected on his sides season after the loss and said he was disappointed Magic could not secure a place in the grand final.
“I think this was a pretty positive season,” Wilson said.
“Making it to the round of 32 in the Australia Cup was a goal of ours but overall, it has been a really long season. It feels like we have been going for a year now because of our game against the Wanderers in the pre-season. It’s good to have a break at this point but it is disappointing that we didn’t get the [premiership or championship].
“The boys were confident going into the game [against Jaffas] but it just wasn’t to be I think. It wasn’t our day. I think we put in enough effort but it was just minor lapses in concentration that cost us two goals and it was too big of a hill to climb.
"[In the last five minutes] I think we were just trying to throw everyone forward and trying to get any touches or fouls near the box. Anything to give us a chance at winning the game in extra time. But we left it a bit late.”
Lambton will now face Maitland FC in the grand final at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 2pm, with the match to be played as a double header alongside the inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW grand final between Warners Bay FC and Newcastle Olympic at 5pm.