Match of the Round
New Lambton FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
This match was abandoned by the referee at half-time on the basis of player safety.
The wet-bulb temperature was monitored prior to kick off. Before the match the wet-bulb reading did not meet the threshold of NNSWF’s hot weather policy which is 30 degrees WGBT. This meant that the game proceeded with designated drink breaks.
In consultation with both clubs at half-time it was apparent that a number of players were suffering the ill effects of the heat and with the wet-bulb temperature close to the threshold, a decision was made by the referee to abandon the match.
New Lambton FC and Adamstown Rosebud JFC have been informed that the match will be restarted from the point that it was abandoned. All match details including goals, cards and substitutions will remain in place as per the time of the abandonment as per NNSWF regulations.
The scoreline at the time of abandonment was 4-2 to New Lambton.
Broadmeadow Magic 1-8 Lake Macquarie City FC
Lake Macquarie City FC coach Gabrielle Blanch believes her side have made their mark on the competition with a statement 8-1 win over Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Friday night.
The Roosters secured their first NPL Women’s NNSW win in style with a dominant performance and were hungrier, fitter, faster and sharper than their opponents.
Rooster’s captain Brooke Summers opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from a corner kick.
Mattiese Loretan doubled Lakes’ advantage five minutes later with a scrappy tap in past the reach of goalkeeper Stella Morgan.
Things went from bad to worse for Magic when defender Gemma Lawson was sent off in the 29th minute for denying a goal-scoring opportunity after she brought down Emily Loader-Weston who was away towards the goal.
The Roosters were able to capitalise instantly with Ani Jensen scoring a spectacular goal from the free kick outside the penalty area.
Jensen whipped the ball around the wall of Magic defenders and into the top left corner of the goal to give the away side a 3-0 advantage into the half-time break.
Lakes put their foot down in the second half and scored five goals in a 30-minute period.
Loader-Weston netted her second of the season with a strong strike from a cross in by Elivienne Acland in the 50th minute before Tahlor Thackray scored a long-range wonder strike eight minutes later.
The onslaught continued from the Roosters as Jensen scored her second of the night in the 67th minute after she torpedoed another bullet strike into the back of the net and Thackray netted her second of the night and fifth of the season one minute later.
Loretan put the cherry on top in the 81st minute to net her second of the evening and take the scoreline to 8-0.
Broadmeadow clawed one back in the 84th minute through Lilly-Jane Babic but the damage could not be undone and the scoreline remained 8-1 at the final whistle.
Blanch was thrilled for her side to secure their first three points of the season in such spectacular fashion.
“The girls were pumped following the game, not just from the scoreline but from the way we played,” Blanch said.
“It was a bit of a statement after the week we had. It was lovely to have five goal scorers on the team sheet.
“At half-time, we had a really important conversation at a 3-0 scoreline about how we could take the foot off the peddle but it would be more important to keep going. The girls went out there and put the game to bed in the last 45 minutes.
“I thought we did really well. We exploited their weaknesses.
‘I know that they had to change their formation a number of times to deal with the pressure we were putting on them.
“It was all so pleasing. I have seen it for so long in training every week and we kept talking about trusting the process.
“The powerhouse midfield that was on display on Friday night was impressive and they are only going to get better.”
The Roosters coach praised goalkeeper Elyse Vella for her efforts and strong performance in her first grade debut.
“She was huge. Coming in it was always going to be daunting for her so there was some very clear instructions for the team that they needed to support her and be there for her,” Blanch said.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more from her. She was brave and resilient.”
The win moves Lakes off the bottom of the table into fourth position with four points. They will hope that they can continue their momentum after a two-week break as they serve the bye in round six and the competition has a designated wash-out weekend. The Roosters will take on Adamstown Rosebud when they return in round seven.
Broadmeadow sits sixth on the table and will be desperate to bounce back when they travel to Alder Park to face New Lambton FC next Saturday.
Newcastle Olympic 1-5 Charlestown Azzurri
The reigning champions Charlestown Azzurri kept the good times rolling with a 5-1 win over Newcastle Olympic at Darling Street Oval on Sunday evening.
Azzurri served Olympic their first loss of the season with a dominant display across the park.
Melina Ayres broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a spectacular long-range strike after a misplaced header from defender Jorja Hogg.
The former A-League striker doubled her tally and the scoreline eight minutes later with an impressive volley that sailed into the back of the net.
Olympic clawed one back in the 35th minute after Jemma House got onto the end of a ball from Rhali Dobson and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Danielle Bartels.
But the Blues restored their two-goal buffer before half-time after Gema Simon pounced on a dropped ball from goalkeeper Tallon Convery in stoppage time.
Craig Atkins switched out Convery in the break for Janali Haynes but the change didn’t stop the wrath of Charlestown in the second half.
Ayres completed her hat-trick and took the scoreline to 4-1 in the 53rd minute when she out muscled Danielle Nicol and launched the ball over the head of Hunter and into the goal.
Jayna Fraser killed the game off in the 66th minute with a strong direct strike from the edge of the penalty area that smashed into the back of the net.
Olympic were unable to find answers as the scoreline remained 5-1 at the final whistle.
Atkins will hope his team can bounce back from their first loss when they take on the reigning premiers Maitland FC at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
Azzurri will be eager to continue their winning streak when they travel to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to face Adamstown Rosebud on Friday night.