By Mat Fox

Edgeworth FC 0-0 Newcastle Jets Youth
Match abandoned due to wet weather

The opening match of the Northern NSW National Premier League between Edgeworth and Newcastle Jets Youth was on abandoned at half time due to wet weather with the scores still locked at 0-0.

With both sides unable to break the deadlock in the opening forty five minutes the rain continued to fall on a water logged pitch that made things very difficult in the final ten minutes of the half.

An unfortunate way to start the season for both clubs, players and fans alike but fortunately there was still some good football on display on the night.

Newcastle Jets Youth looked like the side that took the competition by storm in their inaugural season with their passing game and distribution of play, but lacked a potent touch in the final third.

The away side came close to opening the scoring when captain Nick Cowburn sent his free kick bouncing back off the cross bar in the thirteenth minute.

Down the other end Nick Holtz had a fantastic opportunity to open his account with a one on one opportunity but Newcastle Jets Youth goalkeeper John Solari did very well to spread himself and make the save.

A minute later the Jets Youth found the back of the net from an offside position as Randavon Pavicevic’s shot from outside the box was tapped in after fumbling across the six yard box.

Solari produced another fine save to deny Holtz with a header at point blank range which again looked destined to be the opener.

While Newcastle Jets Youth controlled most of the play the likes of Cameron Hughes and Bray Smith held Edgeworth’s shape really well and probably deserve credit for the visitors being unable to break them down and create clear cut chances.

The home side missed the presence of international recruit Hector Mendez who succumbed to an ankle injury in a trial the week before and is hopeful to return next weekend.

Newcastle Jets Youth travel to Adamstown Oval on Saturday after the Rosebuds opening round fixture against Broadmeadow Magic was called off due to rain.

Edgeworth Eagles are away to South Cardiff at Ulinga Oval on Sunday.

Hamilton Olympic FC 4 - 2 South Cardiff FC

Hamilton Olympic recorded an impressive 4-2 victory over South Cardiff at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.

A double to Matthew Swan and a first goal for import James Monie guiding the home side to their first win of the season in dominant fashion.

 It wasn’t a polished performance from the home side however who gave the Gunners a glimmer of hope conceding both goals late in each half but they will be happy to walk away with the three points and get four goals in the process.

The score line could have been more impressive in the final minute when Olympic were awarded a penalty but South Cardiff goalkeeper Michael Stafford chose the right way to deny David Hodgson his first goal of the season.

The home side took the lead after the quarter hour mark when Matthew Swan was on hand to volley home at the back post from a Blake Green corner.

Two minutes later Olympic capitalised on some good fortune when a defensive clearance found its way down the other end releasing new signing James Monie through on goal who calmly chipped over the advancing goalkeeper.

To South Cardiff’s dismay the ball had been cleared directly after hitting the Hamilton Olympic crossbar.

South Cardiff had some good fortune themselves however ten minutes later when Lee Ashton’s long range effort dipped beneath the cross bar to draw one back for the visitors with an unlikely opener after creating very few chances on goal.

Hamilton Olympic closed out the half with five corners in quick succession putting the South Cardiff defence under pressure but were unable to find the back of the net after some tense moments.

It took the home side just six minutes to extend their lead after the break when Matthew Swan got his second with a nicely timed glancing header from Andrew Swan’s corner.

Clayton Poole saw his long range effort cannon back off the cross bar shortly after before being rewarded for his perseverance after chasing in Pat Brown’s one on one opportunity, tapping into an empty net from a narrow angle from the rebound the make the score line 4-1 after 80 minutes.

Just when you thought the home side were capable of adding a few more in the final moments Daniel Johnson pulled one back for the Gunners with a header at the back post to take the score to 4-2.

South Cardiff Coach Greg Asquith said “We gave away too many soft goals, you can’t do that at this level because they’ll come back to haunt you. We couldn’t afford to concede another one after half time to be in it, we scored a couple but we didn’t keep them out.”

Hamilton Olympic feature in our match of the round next week against Charlestown City Blues at Lisle Carr Oval also coming off an impressive 3-1 victory over Lambton Jaffas.

South Cardiff Gunners will look to bounce back at home against Edgeworth Eagles.

Lambton Jaffas FC 1 - 3 Charlestown City Blues FC

Charlestown City Blues got their season off to a winning start by defeating grand finalists Lambton Jaffas 3-1 at Arthur Edden Oval.

With the scores locked 1-1 with only ten minutes remaining all was left to play for with the visitors adding two late goals to record an impressive first win.

A second half Kane Goodchild hat-trick the difference after both sides were unable to break the deadlock in the opening forty five minutes.

The opener was a well taken opportunist goal from Goodchild as the ball fumbled between defender and keeper he flicked it back over his head and into the back of the net.

Lambton Jaffas equalised late in the game through Kevin Davidson after substitute Dennis Fajkovic found John Majurovski who did well to control the ball on his chest and release Davidson in space who provided a calm finish.

Luke Remington picked the ball out of the net to get his side back to the half way looking for a result with only ten minutes remaining but Goodchild restored the visitors lead shortly after before putting the final nail in the coffin in the final minute with the Jaffas pushing forward.

Lambton Jaffas were hindered by Jobe Wheelhouse pulling out with a virus prior to kick off, and were reduced to ten men late in the contest with Alex Palozzi being shown his marching orders.

The partnership of Kane Goodchild and Scott Smith proving too much for the Lambton Jaffas defence on the day who took their chances well in front of goal, while Lambton Jaffas missed a number of clear cut chances in front of goal.

Lambton Jaffas Coach David Tanchevski said “we didn’t take our chances and missed a lot of blatant one on ones while Goodchild probably had a man of the match performance.”

“The result was a reality check for us, Charlestown can be in any game at any time with the guys they have up front and they outmuscled us on the day.”

Lambton Jaffas will be sweating on the fitness of key players Jobe Wheelhouse and Peter McPherson through the week as they travel away to Lake Macquarie City next week.

Charlestown City Blues will host Hamilton Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday in our match of the round.

Weston Workers FC 3 – 1 Lake Macquarie City FC

Weston Workers got their season off to a winning start with a 3-1 win over Lake Macquarie City at Rockwell Automation Park on Sunday.

The home side took a two goal lead going into the break and added a third midway through the second half to close out the contest before the visitors scored a late consolation goal through Sam Walker.

Jason Cowburn gave the home side the lead on 15 minutes after he was on hand to send home Jamie Subat’s attempt on goal that was parried into his path.

The Bears continued to pressure the visitors but only managed to extend their lead minutes before the half time break through a Nathan Morris set piece special.

In typical fashion, Morris stepped up to the set piece from 25 yards out and curled it into the back of the net adding to his collection of spectacular free kicks.

Lake Macquarie City looked like a different side after the break and pressured the Weston goal early on.

The visitors called for a penalty early on that was denied, along with several other chances that went begging leaving them frustrated when Mick Ryan headed home to extend Weston’s lead in the 75th minute after a nice Robbie Turnbull cross from the right hand side.

Lake Macquarie City opened their account with a classy finish from Sam Walker on the edge of the area finding the bottom corner but it was just a consolation for the away side.

Weston Workers Coach Steve Piggott said “we were satisfied to get the three points in our first game of the season with a new coach and a few debutants on the park. The heavy rain made it hard in the second half so the game changed a bit but I didn’t think we were in any real danger.” 

Lake Macquarie City Coach Gary Rowe said “we didn’t turn up in the first half but I thought we had the better of it for the most part after the break, it was just one of those frustrating days for us.”

Weston Workers are away to premiers Broadmeadow Magic which will provide them with a good test while Lake Macquarie City will host grand finalists Lambton Jaffas at Macquarie Field on Sunday.

Adamstown Rosebud FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC
Match postponed due to wet weather