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 QUENTIN CONNERS

 

BROADMEADOW MAGIC 3 (OXBORROW 2’, BRADBERY 69’, CARROLL 81’) DEF. ADAMSTOWN ROSEBUD 1 (BERLIN 35’)

SATURDAY 29 JULY, 5:00PM, MAGIC PARK

Magic have returned to the top of the table with a gutsy performance to defeat Adamstown and stretch their unbeaten run against the Rosebuds to 31 games spanned over 20 years.

The hosts began the match in quick-fire fashion as Mitch Oxborrow jumped on the end of a Luke Virgili cross volleying it into the side of the goal.

With momentum on their side, Broadmeadow continued to trouble Adamstown’s goal as James Virgili went close to doubling the lead, but as the first half wore on, the Rosebuds dug deep to work their way back into the contest and were rewarded with a goal thanks to some special footwork from Liam Ryan.

Ryan danced past four Magic defenders before placing a pass on a platter for Chris Berlin who smashed it home from close range to grab the equaliser.

The second half opened with two sides tug-of-warring for control, but it would be the defending champions who found the breakthrough following some excellent quick passes on the edge of the box that finished with Kale Bradbery tucking it past Daniel Eisenhauser.

Magic pushed on with the game and found the finishing blow as Cody Carroll jumped on the end of a long Paul Bitz free kick from deep in his own half and toed it into the goal to ultimately spell the victory for his side.

Broadmeadow have now taken back the top-of-the-table spot with that win, while Adamstown conceded their fifth straight loss in as many games and continue to squander at the wrong end of the ladder.

Adamstown coach Shane Cansdell-Sherriff said that he was pleased with his side’s efforts despite the loss, and that he was extremely proud of his team for the way they continue to perform regardless of their results.

“We started a little sloppy and conceded a goal early in the game, but we managed to get back into it and turn it around,” Cansdell-Sherriff said.

“We’ve proven we’re not just a side who can just be turned over which is pleasing from my point of view. We’re competing and challenging teams.

“Having said that, where we’ve struggled is, we switch off at the wrong time of the game and we haven’t been taking our chances.

“When things are down its hard to find those wins and see when things are going to turn, but when you put in strong performances like that, it’s only a matter of time before something falls our way.

“I can’t praise the boys enough for the attitude they display. They turn up to training every week, they give me 100% despite the uphill challenge in front of them, despite the experience in the teams we’re playing against, they’re competing and they’re really taking it to teams which is great.”

Cansdell-Sherriff made special mention for the youngster Ryan, who again stood out as one of the Rosebuds’ best.

“He’s been doing really well,” he said.

“If he can play the way he trains, he’s going to be incredible.

“He’s 18 years of age and he’s stepping up to first team football. He’s copping his fair share of kicks as a dribbler, but he’s resilient.”

 

EDGEWORTH EAGLES 3 (SMITH 16, 80’, MCBREEN 36) DEF. LAKE MACQUARIE CITY ROOSTERS 0

SUNDAY 30 JULY, 2:30PM, JACK MCLAUGHLAN OVAL

Edgeworth continued to pressure their fellow top four sides in the hope of acquiring a historic premiership after comfortably defeating Lakes at home adding to the Roosters’ 2019 woes.

It was the visitors who almost kicked-off with the perfect start though, as captain Sam Walker dribbled from the halfway spot before launching a long shot that pummelled its way into the upright denying what would have been a spectacular early goal.

The Eagles didn’t let that rattle them though and quickly began to turn the screws in gaining control and it led to Oliver Smith bagging the first goal through a volleying effort after Jose Atayde originally tried a shot from outside the box.

The Roosters’ went agonisingly close to equalising soon after as Walker headed on a corner kick but was denied by Daniel McBreen who cleared it off the goal-line.

Lakes’ goalkeeper Stuart Plant was forced to make some vital saves to keep his side in it, while down the other end, Walker continued to trouble Edgeworth’s defence but Josh Low in goals successfully kept his opposition at bay.

After multiple missed opportunities for both sides, the second goal finally came courtesy of an old Central Coast Mariners combination as Josh Rose found an umarked McBreen in the box who made no mistakes in the finish.

With a two-goal lead, the Eagles were able to hold Lakes out for the rest of the game and put an exclamation mark on the victory late on when a perfect Dylan Holz cross found an awaiting Smith who capped off the game with his ninth goal of the season.

Edgeworth’s coach Damian Zane admitted Lakes’ proved a tough challenge but was pleased with how his side took hold of the game to collect the three points.

“Lakes are a dangerous side,” Zane said.

“It was tough conditions and I thought they were pretty decent so I’m happy to get the win and get points on the table.

“We’ve been in pretty good form. We’ve been getting a few players back and that competition for spots is back.

The next few weeks are set to be a busy time for the Eagles after learning they’ll be flying to Darwin for their FFA Cup Round of 32 fixture later in July, but Zane is confident his side can juggle both competitions.

“At the moment, we’re not looking that far, its just week by week,” he said.

“The first thing we’ve gotta do is get a semis spot, then we’ll just see from there.

“At the moment, we’ve got enough players on deck to juggle things and fight on all fronts. It hasn’t really taken our attention. Everyone has got their head down and bum up.”

 

VALENTINE PHOENIX 0 DEF. BY NEWCASTLE JETS YOUTH 3 (DONNELLAN 67’, 72’, PETRATOS 89’)

SUNDAY 30 JULY, 2:30PM, CB COMPLEX

After experiencing despair last time out against the Jets Youth, Valentine weren’t able to right the wrongs of that earlier fixture as their young opponents ran away with the game scoring three goals in the final third of the match to successfully do the double over the hosts.

Both sides traded opportunities to begin the game as Phoenix goalkeeper Joel Magnee denied Ryan Goodhew from close range, and down the other end Jacob Bailey’s shot was easily collected by Noah James.

As the first half went on, Magnee continued to be called upon for his side as the young Jets created multiple goal-scoring chances – firstly making a rushing save on Sam Donnellan near the edge of the box, and again from Maki Petratos and Riley Smith from closer range.

The Phoenix were able to withstand the onslaught in the first half, but as the wave of attack continued to flourish over them in the second half, Magnee and his defence eventually buckled.

Petratos was the obvious danger man throughout the match, but his threatening work finally turned into goals as he landed a cross straight onto the head of Sam Donnellan for his first First Grade goal, and just minutes later, he scored a brace, again from a pin-point cross from Petratos.

As the match wore out, the Jets Youth put the cherry on top of a hard-fought victory as Petratos scored one of his own, capping off a sensational game, dribbling from deep in his own half straight past the Phoenix defence before smashing a shot past Magnee.

Valentine have now gone three games without a win after finding a small purple patch of form not too long and it means they remain anchored in ninth place in danger of the wooden spoon.

The Jets Youth will be ecstatic to finally re-enter the winners’ circle again after picking up three straight losses in the weeks prior, and although they jump up into sixth place now, the premiership is probably a bridge too far for the side.

 

ALL OTHER MATCHES WERE POSTPONED DUE TO WET WEATHER.

WESTON BEARS HAD THE BYE.