NPL Women’s NNSW Round 12 Review: Olympic triumphs over New Lambton in epic showdown

Match of the Round:  
Newcastle Olympic FC 2-1 New Lambton FC 

Olympic came from behind to steal a 2-1 win from New Lambton in the Match of the Round on Saturday night.  

New Lambton opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Cass Davis hit the ball from the top of the 18-yard box into the back of the net.  

The Golden Eagles were able to hold onto their lead heading into halftime despite chances for both sides.  

Olympic went into the second half hungry and were soon rewarded when Alesha Clifford volleyed the ball past New Lambton’s goalkeeper Ally Boertje to even the score.  

Shortly after Jemma House showcased her individual prowess, beating defenders and striking the bottom corner of the net to put Olympic in the lead in the 62nd minute.  

Olympic were relentless in attack during the final 10 minutes and created several chances but just had to settle for the 2-1 win.  

The three points are crucial to Olympic, in maintaining their spot in the top four. Olympic are third on the ladder, two points behind Charlestown Azzurri in second and three points off league leaders Broadmeadow Magic.  

New Lambton’s necessity to pick up points now becomes more desperate in order to keep their finals hopes alive. The Golden Eagles remain sixth on the table with 13 points and are trailing Adamstown in fifth by three points, and fourth place Maitland by eight points.  

Broadmeadow Magic FC v Maitland FC  
Postponed  

Charlestown Azzurri FC 2-1 Adamstown Rosebud JFC  

Azzurri were able to make it three wins in a row, defeating Adamstown 2-1 at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday afternoon.  

Charlestown suffered an early blow in the first 10 minutes when defender Katie Oliveria was forced off with a knee problem. 

Adamstown pounced on the attack, opening the scoring with a tap-in off a corner from Josie Morley in the 25th minute.  

However, it wasn’t long until Cassie Corder was able to shift the tides for Azzurri, hitting the back of the net in the 34th minute.  

The score remained 1-1 in a tight contest between both teams before Lily-Jane Babic was able to break the deadlock for Azzurri. Babic was able to slice through Rosebud’s defensive line from a free kick in the 84th minute.  

Charlestown remains second on the table, one point behind Broadmeadow Magic, and Adamstown sits in fifth position.  

Warners Bay FC 0-4 Mid Coast FC 

Mid Coast secured their second win of the season against Warners Bay.  

Emma Stanbury’s side displayed a confident performance, picking up points for the first time since they played the Panthers in Round 5. 

Zora Boskovski opened the scoring for Middies, with a perfectly placed free kick from outside the penalty box in the 11th minute.  

Boskovski struck again, weaving her way past several defenders to hit the bottom corner of the net.  

A handball in the box allowed Sophie Gallagher to get herself on the score sheet, drilling the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.  

In the final 10 minutes of the match, Beth Kauter headed the ball into the back of the net off a corner to seal to score to 4-0 for the Middies. 

Warners Bay continues to search for their first points, sitting at the bottom of the table, in what has been a disappointing season so far.