Match of the Round
Kahibah FC v Adamstown Rosebud
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Weston Bears 0-1 Maitland FC
Weston Bears head coach Damian Zane knows consistency is key over the next couple of weeks to reclaim top spot on the table, as his side was defeated 1-0 at home by a determined Maitland FC in their El Clasicoal rematch on Saturday.
The dreary conditions proved a suitable backdrop for a tense affair, with Maitland coming into the match determined to make a course correction after dropping their last three games and starting the match with a point to prove.
The conditions didn’t stop plenty of free-flowing football, the hosts starting to find their rhythm as the match went on.
As the sun began to peek out behind the clouds and Weston began to make inroads into the Magpies' territory, the visitors’ counterattack pounced.
In the 38th minute, a brilliant bit of work from James Thompson set up Crowley in a quick transition, the Bears' defence scrambling to shut down his opportunities to score.
Crowley found a way to reconnect with Thompson, who got the ball past goalkeeper Gerard Roebuck giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The Bears came out determined to up the pressure, but the Magpies' defence held firm, with Thompson nearly extending their lead in the 52nd minute.
The hosts turned to the bench after the hour, but moments of execution on attack let the side down, coupled with Magpies goalkeeper Taylor Pate producing some inspirational saves.
The Bears continued to create opportunities, and with two free kicks and a corner during seven minutes of stoppage time, had the chance to equalise. Pate proved up to the task as his heroics proved enough to get his side over the line and pick up a valuable win.
It proved a frustrating loss for Zane, who, despite holding onto second place with two points separating them from Broadmeadow, now finds the rest of the table holding an extra game advantage.
Despite sweating on injuries to Dylan Burston (hamstring) and Connor Evans (knee) from the match, Zane is keen to get his side out on the road next week.
“[I was] frustrated that our first half was so poor. [We] talk about 90-minute performances, [and] we couldn't get a goal to equalise, which may have springboarded us to a win,” Zane said.
“We didn't deserve anything out of the first half, and we didn't get anything. That's essentially where we lost it. We just didn't execute our game plan.
“We've talked about it, our home record. There are games we could have won. Away from home, we've got six from six. I can't put my finger on it.
“We're actually looking forward to going away, what we don't want to do is drop off.
“We've got [Hahn Australia] Cup games coming up. We want to get back in the winner's circle.”
Maitland head coach Adam Hughes was happy his side delivered an aggressive performance when they needed it most but expects this standard to continue as the Magpies reclaimed their top-five position from Lambton Jaffas.
“We spoke during the week on some things as a collective, some of our values and how we play for our badge, and what it means to play for the club itself,” Hughes said.
“I really think this helped galvanise the way we approached the match. You could see there was a little bit more from the group itself, emptying the tank at the completion of the game.
“Weston are a good footballing team and in the first half, we really set the tone.
“I think everyone ran themselves into the ground and these are the smaller details where, if you look at the past few games, maybe wasn't as frequent across the whole group as what it was yesterday.
“The evidence is there. You work at these levels. That's the minimum standard for me, the way that they worked in the defensive unit structure, how we stepped out as well.
“It's something that we've just got to keep at that level and keep at that intensity.”
The Magpies will return home to host Belmont Swansea United next Saturday, while the Bears will travel to Lisle Carr Oval next Sunday to play Charlestown Azzurri.
Newcastle Olympic v Charlestown Azzurri
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Edgeworth Eagles v Lambton Jaffas
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Valentine FC v Broadmeadow Magic
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Cooks Hill United v Belmont Swansea United
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.