Match of the Round
Maitland FC 2-0 Lake Macquarie City FC
Maitland FC coach Joe Wright described their 2-0 win over Lake Macquarie City FC as a grind at Cooks Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
After a heated battle between the two sides, the Magpies snatched two late goals to keep their 2025 unbeaten run alive.
It took the two teams a bit of time to settle into the rhythm of the game before Maitland started to gain momentum.
The Magpies created some key chances in front of goal through Marry Ntsweng and Sophie Stapleford but were unable to capitalise.
Lakes’ goalkeeper Elyse Vella also made some crucial saves to keep her side in the contest.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the first half and went into the sheds locked up at 0-0.
Lakes were dealt with two significant injury blows as Lily Brooks was forced from the field in the 57th minute with an ankle injury and Emily Loader Weston in the 68th after a head knock.
The two sides pushed each other, with chances at the two ends of the pitch but it was Maitland who wore down the Roosters and broke the deadlock in the 84th minute.
Georgia Amess got onto the end of a long ball from Tahlia Gossner and smashed the ball towards goal. The strike was initially saved by Vella but the ball spilled out to Stapleford who tried to win the ball and it flicked out to Amess who made no mistake with her second attempt on goal.
Lakes almost immediately equalised with a curling strike from Kimberly Trappett but her attempt hit the crossbar.
But Maitland killed the game off deep into stoppage time as Stapleford and Amess combined again.
Stapleford won the ball and rushed up the pitch before she played it through to Amess who used her pace to get in behind and slice the ball into the back of the net.
Wright admitted it was a tough outing for his side but credited them for how they stuck to their process to get a result.
“It was a grind to be fair,” Wright said.
“Lakes really dug in and tried to unsettle us which they did a good job at. It was a hard fought game.
“For us it was about remaining composed and trusting the processes while sticking to our principles to give ourselves the best chance of getting the win.
“I think we are very fortunate with
“After the first goal we still had to be alert and there was an immediate reaction from Lakes as they still believed that could have gotten something from the game. 1-0 helped us to get to where we needed to go.
“It is important to keep on picking up points when they are on offer. We definitely want to take them when we can but each week is a new challenge.”
Wright was pleased with his side’s defensive unit to keep their third clean sheet of the season.
“I think AB (Annabella Thornton) has been in some really good form the last couple of weeks. She protected the space between defenders really well and worked hard to keep that clean sheet,” Wright said.
“When you are confident in your goalkeeper it gives the defenders and midfielders the trust that if you do make a mistake, you have a goalkeeper that can keep us out of trouble.”
Lakes coach Gabrielle Blanch believed the scoreline did not reflect the match.
“I guess it is just the way it has gone with a few of our games more recently where the girls are getting better every week but we are searching for the outcome,” Blanch said.
“I couldn’t fault the girls. We went with Maitland for the full 90 minutes and the 2-0 scoreline didn’t reflect the match.
“Going into the match we spoke about our one v one battles as right across the board Maitland have quality in every role.
“It was evident that the girls showed up and was ready to battle. They matched the intensity and battle that we needed to content with Maitland who are top quality.
“We just have to bounce back and take our opportunities in the top third and make sure the belief is still there.
“On paper our season looks a lot worse than it has been.
“We aren’t going into a match without the mindset that if anyone is going to take points off us we will make sure we make them work for it.
“It was nice to see the girls punch above their weight.”
Maitland have moved three points clear at the top of the table and will look to keep the good times rolling when they travel to Alder Park to face New Lambton in two week's time after the competition break over Easter.
Lakes remain fifth on the table but have now drifted five points outside of the top four. They will hope to bounce back after the Easter break when they face Newcastle Olympic at Darling Street Oval.
Charlestown Azzurri 2-2 New Lambton FC
Charlestown Azzurri had to work to earn a point against New Lambton after they came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at Lisle Carr Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles got off to a flying start when they opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Caitlin Pickett.
After some well-worked passes, Pickett received the ball inside the penalty area and sliced it into the near post.
Golden boot leader Tara Andrews netted her 17th of the season to double New Lambton’s lead in the 26th minute.
Andrews pounced on a heavy touch from Azzurri goalkeeper Danielle Bartels and smashed the ball into the back of the empty net.
The reigning champions looked stunned to be down against New Lambton as they headed into the sheds with a 2-0 deficit to make up in the second half.
But Azzurri came out of the sheds determined to not suffer back-to-back losses and claw their way back into the contest.
Charlestown was awarded a penalty in the 56th minute after Chelsea Lucas was taken down inside the penalty area. Jayna Fraser converted from the spot with a calm controlled kick into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.
The momentum stayed with the home side as they equalised in the 77th minute after New Lambton goalkeeper Claire Coelho mistimed a through ball and Lucas pinched it and tapped it into an empty goal.
Charlestown’s Kalista Hunter took one for the team when she was given a straight red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity after Caitlin Pickett looked like she was away to be one-on-one on goal with a chance to snatch the win.
Andrews free kick after the send-off forced a top-notch save from Bartels to send the ball over the crossbar.
The two sides pushed for the win but were forced to share the points as they remained locked at 2-2 at full-time.
The draw has kept New Lambton in fourth position on the table but has moved them five points clear of Lake Macquarie in fifth. They hope that they can continue to pick up points and cement their spot in the top four when they welcome Maitland FC to Alder Park after the Easter break in two weeks time.
The Blues remain second on the table but have drifted three points back from league leaders Maitland. They will have two weeks off as they serve the bye in round nine before they return in round ten to take on Lake Macquarie City FC.
Newcastle Olympic 3-0 Broadmeadow Magic
Newcastle Olympic continued their winning ways after a strong 3-0 win over Broadmeadow Magic at Darling Street Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Craig Atkins' side got off to a strong start after they took the lead in the sixth minute.
A corner ball spilled out to Laura Hall at the edge of the penalty area who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Magic when Olympic was awarded a penalty after Kealah Boldery was brought down inside the penalty area.
Rhali Dobson doubled her side’s lead as she converted from the spot with a powerful strike that rocketed into the goal.
Olympic took the 2-0 lead into the half-time break before they added another goal to the tally moments into the second half.
Boldery whipped the ball past the reach of goalkeeper Stella Morgan and into the top right corner to give the home side a 3-0 lead in the 46th minute.
The two sides pushed to add to the scoreline but were unsuccessful, as the score remained 3-0 at the full-time whistle.
Olympic remains third on the table but have closed the gap with Charlestown Azzurri in second to three points. They will hope to make it three from three when they host Lake Macquarie City FC in round nine after the Easter break.
Magic continues to sit at the bottom of the table after their sixth loss of the season. They will be desperate to bounce back when the competition returns after the Easter break, when they welcome Adamstown Rosebud JFC to Magic Park.
Adamstown Rosebud JFC – Bye
