Major Semi-Final
Broadmeadow Magic 2-0 Edgeworth FC
Edgeworth FC coach Pete McGuinness said his side lacked some cutting edge in their 2-0 loss to Broadmeadow Magic in the major semi-final at Magic Park on Sunday.
Magic’s men booked their ticket to the grand final for a second year in a row in the hope to secure both the premiership and championship in 2024.
Magic wasted no time to get themselves on the scoreboard after they took the lead in spectacular fashion in the third minute.
Bailey Wells received the ball five metres out from the penalty area before he turned and unleashed a wonder strike that soared through the air and smashed into the back of the net.
Neither side was able to add to the score in the remainder of the first half which gave Magic the advantage at the half-time break.
Edgeworth pushed to equalize early in the second half but were unable to make the most of their opportunities in attack.
Substitute Jayden Stewardson secured the win and the grand final ticket for Magic in the 86th minute after a classy assist from Wells.
The midfielder pinched the ball from Edgeworth before he drove down the pitch and drew both remaining defenders. He sliced the ball across the penalty area to an unmarked Stewardson, who made no mistake and buried his strike.
Wells almost had his second of the day two minutes later with another powerful strike but it smashed the crossbar and away from the goal.
McGuinness said that his side was disappointed with their performance but praised their efforts to come out stronger in the second half.
“We’re disappointed with our performance today,” McGuinness said.
“The conditions were tough to play in but I thought we lacked a bit of cutting edge.
“But we did improve in the second half. We had a lot of the ball and field position. We created a few opportunities.”
The Eagles coach is confident that his side can brush the loss off and go again in their second chance for a spot in the grand final in the preliminary final against Charlestown Azzurri next Sunday.
“We know we are a good side and I know we have the players to bounce back,” McGuinness said.
“A good week of training and staying united in our cause will put us in a position to put in a good performance next weekend.”
Magic’s captain Jeremy Wilson was thrilled with his side’s efforts to get the job done in difficult conditions.
“It feels really good to win," Wilson said.
“The boys put in a shift and we felt pretty comfortable for the majority of the game despite Edgeworth dominating for some stages.
“The wind and the state of the pitch played a big part in our game plan.
“We showed a lot of grit and determination.
"We also played the conditions pretty well. Whereas Edgeworth, I think tried to keep playing nice football.”
Wilson said that he is confident that 2024 would be Magic’s year to secure the premiership and be crowned champions.
‘It’s everything to make the grand final. That’s why you play,” Wilson said.
"it's good that we get the week off now and are able to be fresh for the grand final,” Wilson said.
“I am really proud of all of the boys and the shifts they have each put in every week. They deserve to be there in the grand final.
“I think this is our year.”
Broadmeadow will get another week off before they take on the winner of Edgeworth and Charlestown Azzurri in the grand final at home at Magic Park.
Minor Semi-Final
Lambton Jaffas 0-4 Charlestown Azzurri
Lambton Jaffas have exited the NPL Men's NNSW competition after going down 4-0 to Charlestown Azzurri in the minor semi-final at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Jaffas looked the most likely to go back-to-back premiers and champions in the first half of the season but have crashed out of the competition.
Each side created opportunities in the first half, but it was the Blues who opened the scoring right before the break.
Jarryd Sutherland curled a free kick from outside the penalty area over the sea of players and past the outstretched reach of goalkeeper Ben Kennedy to give Azzurri the lead in the 44th minute.
Charlestown put their foot down in the second half after Jack Gallagher doubled their advantage in the 56th minute.
Gallagher received the ball from Cameron Joice in the penalty area before he turned Matthew Buettner inside out and smashed it into the back of the net.
Harrison Frendo took the scoreline out to 3-0 in the 66th minute, after they capitalised off another free kick.
Joice took the kick which landed on the head of Nigel Boogaard before it fell to the feet of Frendo who turned back and drove towards the goal. His strike on goal deflected off a Jaffas' player and into the goal.
Jaffas had no response and Charlestown put the game to bed to end Jaffas’ season in the 86th minute with a goal from substitute Kyle Munns.
Another set piece set up the Blues' fourth goal of the afternoon after Munns rose the highest from a corner kick and buried his header in the back of the net.
Jaffas will bow out of the competition and hope that they can get themselves back on track in 2025.
Charlestown will now advance into the preliminary final against Edgeworth FC for a spot in the grand final against Broadmeadow Magic.