Magpies give club legend the perfect send-off as rain disrupts play, again
Maitland's director of football Reece Thompson reckons the Magpies could not have crafted a better send-off for retiring goalkeeper and club legend Matthew Trott.
After eight seasons with the Magpies and 145 NPL appearances, Trott hung up the gloves after Maitland's thrilling, and much-needed, 1-0 win over Lambton at Cooks Square Park on Saturday night.
The victory was sealed at the death, when strike weapon Braedyn Crowley headed in off a corner in the 88th minute.
The goal, on Old Boys Day, had players, coaching staff and spectators in raptures.
"We're slowly starting to build some momentum," Thompson said post-match on Saturday.
"The boys worked really hard, and to get a goal late in the game and be able to celebrate with our old boys on Old Boys Day really gives a good feeling around the club at the moment.
"Matt Trott played his final game and retired today ... that was probably the most important thing of today's game."
Crowley celebrated as though the Magpies had won the grand final, so big was the moment for the club.
The 28-year-old ripped off his shirt and ran to the crowd, joined moments later by an ecstatic Trott.
Crowley, who was booked for his goal celebration, took his season tally to nine to be equal with suspended Weston striker Chris Hatfield and one behind Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz.
Maitland improved to 11 points and eighth position with the win, which came on another rain-affected weekend of NPL Northern NSW that has at least one club with three games to catch up as the season reaches its midpoint.
The Magpies are now within three points of the top five as they look to Wednesday night's rescheduled clash with Belmont Swansea.
The Magpies could be set to unleash some new recruits against Belswans.
Thompson said goalkeeper Taylor Pate was returning to the club from Magic and Maitland have also signed Japanese attacking player Yuhei Sato, who parted ways with Lambton in March.
At the time, Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said they cut Sato loose but the Tokyo 23-year-old maintains he left the club in search of a different training environment.
"The reason I joined Maitland was simple - it was because of coach Adam [Hughes]," Sato told the Newcastle Herald.
"When I joined training, I honestly didn't expect to find this level of quality in Australia. I had almost forgotten what real, high-level football felt like - what I experienced back in Japan.
"Now that I'm here, I'll do everything I can to take Maitland to the grand final - and to the FFA Cup Round of 32, which I missed last year due to injury."
Sato played match minutes for Maitland in reserve grade on Saturday.
"He'll be available for selection for Wednesday," Thompson said.
"He's been really sharp in training and is definitely an attacking threat, and I'm interested to see how he goes with some more minutes in the top grade. He's going to be another string to our bow."
Maitland will also bring in Canadian centre-back Brayden Borutskie, who is awaiting an international clearance before he can play.
Both teams were backing up after midweek Australia Cup fixtures. Lambton's was decided in extra time.
"We knew we were going to be up against it," Tanchevski said.
"We had 120 minutes on Wednesday night and we had a fair injury list for this game, then BK [goalkeeper Ben Kennedy] did his calf about 10 minutes in and came off as well.
"We were really good in the first half and created a number of chances but didn't capitalise. In the second half, I think we just died out."
Sixth-placed Jaffas (13 points) will add striker Carter Smith to their roster from Valentine in the NPL transfer window, which opens on Monday.
Third-placed Weston (19) beat 11th-placed Valentine 2-1 at Weston on Saturday. Brock Beveridge opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute.
Phoenix went level at 1-1 in the 35th minute when Bears defender Chris Hurley headed into his own net.
Aaron Niyonkuru sealed the win when he slotted a parried shot in the 54th minute.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday night against unbeaten leaders Edgeworth.
On Sunday, the Olympic-Belswans (Darling Street Oval) and New Lambton-Adamstown (Alder Park) matches were washed out.
Edgeworth and Azzurri's round-11 exchange at Lisle Carr Oval on Friday night was also postponed, as was Cooks Hill's fixture against Broadmeadow at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday.
Maitland's director of football Reece Thompson reckons the Magpies could not have crafted a better send-off for retiring goalkeeper and club legend Matthew Trott.
After eight seasons with the Magpies and 145 NPL appearances, Trott hung up the gloves after Maitland's thrilling, and much-needed, 1-0 win over Lambton at Cooks Square Park on Saturday night.
The victory was sealed at the death, when strike weapon Braedyn Crowley headed in off a corner in the 88th minute.
The goal, on Old Boys Day, had players, coaching staff and spectators in raptures.
"We're slowly starting to build some momentum," Thompson said post-match on Saturday.
"The boys worked really hard, and to get a goal late in the game and be able to celebrate with our old boys on Old Boys Day really gives a good feeling around the club at the moment.
"Matt Trott played his final game and retired today ... that was probably the most important thing of today's game."
Crowley celebrated as though the Magpies had won the grand final, so big was the moment for the club.
The 28-year-old ripped off his shirt and ran to the crowd, joined moments later by an ecstatic Trott.
Crowley, who was booked for his goal celebration, took his season tally to nine to be equal with suspended Weston striker Chris Hatfield and one behind Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz.
Maitland improved to 11 points and eighth position with the win, which came on another rain-affected weekend of NPL Northern NSW that has at least one club with three games to catch up as the season reaches its midpoint.
The Magpies are now within three points of the top five as they look to Wednesday night's rescheduled clash with Belmont Swansea.
The Magpies could be set to unleash some new recruits against Belswans.
Thompson said goalkeeper Taylor Pate was returning to the club from Magic and Maitland have also signed Japanese attacking player Yuhei Sato, who parted ways with Lambton in March.
At the time, Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said they cut Sato loose but the Tokyo 23-year-old maintains he left the club in search of a different training environment.
"The reason I joined Maitland was simple - it was because of coach Adam [Hughes]," Sato told the Newcastle Herald.
"When I joined training, I honestly didn't expect to find this level of quality in Australia. I had almost forgotten what real, high-level football felt like - what I experienced back in Japan.
"Now that I'm here, I'll do everything I can to take Maitland to the grand final - and to the FFA Cup Round of 32, which I missed last year due to injury."
Sato played match minutes for Maitland in reserve grade on Saturday.
"He'll be available for selection for Wednesday," Thompson said.
"He's been really sharp in training and is definitely an attacking threat, and I'm interested to see how he goes with some more minutes in the top grade. He's going to be another string to our bow."
Maitland will also bring in Canadian centre-back Brayden Borutskie, who is awaiting an international clearance before he can play.
Both teams were backing up after midweek Australia Cup fixtures. Lambton's was decided in extra time.
"We knew we were going to be up against it," Tanchevski said.
"We had 120 minutes on Wednesday night and we had a fair injury list for this game, then BK [goalkeeper Ben Kennedy] did his calf about 10 minutes in and came off as well.
"We were really good in the first half and created a number of chances but didn't capitalise. In the second half, I think we just died out."
Sixth-placed Jaffas (13 points) will add striker Carter Smith to their roster from Valentine in the NPL transfer window, which opens on Monday.
Third-placed Weston (19) beat 11th-placed Valentine 2-1 at Weston on Saturday. Brock Beveridge opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute.
Phoenix went level at 1-1 in the 35th minute when Bears defender Chris Hurley headed into his own net.
Aaron Niyonkuru sealed the win when he slotted a parried shot in the 54th minute.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday night against unbeaten leaders Edgeworth.
On Sunday, the Olympic-Belswans (Darling Street Oval) and New Lambton-Adamstown (Alder Park) matches were washed out.
Edgeworth and Azzurri's round-11 exchange at Lisle Carr Oval on Friday night was also postponed, as was Cooks Hill's fixture against Broadmeadow at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday.
Maitland's director of football Reece Thompson reckons the Magpies could not have crafted a better send-off for retiring goalkeeper and club legend Matthew Trott.
After eight seasons with the Magpies and 145 NPL appearances, Trott hung up the gloves after Maitland's thrilling, and much-needed, 1-0 win over Lambton at Cooks Square Park on Saturday night.
The victory was sealed at the death, when strike weapon Braedyn Crowley headed in off a corner in the 88th minute.
The goal, on Old Boys Day, had players, coaching staff and spectators in raptures.
"We're slowly starting to build some momentum," Thompson said post-match on Saturday.
"The boys worked really hard, and to get a goal late in the game and be able to celebrate with our old boys on Old Boys Day really gives a good feeling around the club at the moment.
"Matt Trott played his final game and retired today ... that was probably the most important thing of today's game."
Crowley celebrated as though the Magpies had won the grand final, so big was the moment for the club.
The 28-year-old ripped off his shirt and ran to the crowd, joined moments later by an ecstatic Trott.
Crowley, who was booked for his goal celebration, took his season tally to nine to be equal with suspended Weston striker Chris Hatfield and one behind Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz.
Maitland improved to 11 points and eighth position with the win, which came on another rain-affected weekend of NPL Northern NSW that has at least one club with three games to catch up as the season reaches its midpoint.
The Magpies are now within three points of the top five as they look to Wednesday night's rescheduled clash with Belmont Swansea.
The Magpies could be set to unleash some new recruits against Belswans.
Thompson said goalkeeper Taylor Pate was returning to the club from Magic and Maitland have also signed Japanese attacking player Yuhei Sato, who parted ways with Lambton in March.
At the time, Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said they cut Sato loose but the Tokyo 23-year-old maintains he left the club in search of a different training environment.
"The reason I joined Maitland was simple - it was because of coach Adam [Hughes]," Sato told the Newcastle Herald.
"When I joined training, I honestly didn't expect to find this level of quality in Australia. I had almost forgotten what real, high-level football felt like - what I experienced back in Japan.
"Now that I'm here, I'll do everything I can to take Maitland to the grand final - and to the FFA Cup Round of 32, which I missed last year due to injury."
Sato played match minutes for Maitland in reserve grade on Saturday.
"He'll be available for selection for Wednesday," Thompson said.
"He's been really sharp in training and is definitely an attacking threat, and I'm interested to see how he goes with some more minutes in the top grade. He's going to be another string to our bow."
Maitland will also bring in Canadian centre-back Brayden Borutskie, who is awaiting an international clearance before he can play.
Both teams were backing up after midweek Australia Cup fixtures. Lambton's was decided in extra time.
"We knew we were going to be up against it," Tanchevski said.
"We had 120 minutes on Wednesday night and we had a fair injury list for this game, then BK [goalkeeper Ben Kennedy] did his calf about 10 minutes in and came off as well.
"We were really good in the first half and created a number of chances but didn't capitalise. In the second half, I think we just died out."
Sixth-placed Jaffas (13 points) will add striker Carter Smith to their roster from Valentine in the NPL transfer window, which opens on Monday.
Third-placed Weston (19) beat 11th-placed Valentine 2-1 at Weston on Saturday. Brock Beveridge opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute.
Phoenix went level at 1-1 in the 35th minute when Bears defender Chris Hurley headed into his own net.
Aaron Niyonkuru sealed the win when he slotted a parried shot in the 54th minute.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday night against unbeaten leaders Edgeworth.
On Sunday, the Olympic-Belswans (Darling Street Oval) and New Lambton-Adamstown (Alder Park) matches were washed out.
Edgeworth and Azzurri's round-11 exchange at Lisle Carr Oval on Friday night was also postponed, as was Cooks Hill's fixture against Broadmeadow at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday.
Maitland's director of football Reece Thompson reckons the Magpies could not have crafted a better send-off for retiring goalkeeper and club legend Matthew Trott.
After eight seasons with the Magpies and 145 NPL appearances, Trott hung up the gloves after Maitland's thrilling, and much-needed, 1-0 win over Lambton at Cooks Square Park on Saturday night.
The victory was sealed at the death, when strike weapon Braedyn Crowley headed in off a corner in the 88th minute.
The goal, on Old Boys Day, had players, coaching staff and spectators in raptures.
"We're slowly starting to build some momentum," Thompson said post-match on Saturday.
"The boys worked really hard, and to get a goal late in the game and be able to celebrate with our old boys on Old Boys Day really gives a good feeling around the club at the moment.
"Matt Trott played his final game and retired today ... that was probably the most important thing of today's game."
Crowley celebrated as though the Magpies had won the grand final, so big was the moment for the club.
The 28-year-old ripped off his shirt and ran to the crowd, joined moments later by an ecstatic Trott.
Crowley, who was booked for his goal celebration, took his season tally to nine to be equal with suspended Weston striker Chris Hatfield and one behind Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz.
Maitland improved to 11 points and eighth position with the win, which came on another rain-affected weekend of NPL Northern NSW that has at least one club with three games to catch up as the season reaches its midpoint.
The Magpies are now within three points of the top five as they look to Wednesday night's rescheduled clash with Belmont Swansea.
The Magpies could be set to unleash some new recruits against Belswans.
Thompson said goalkeeper Taylor Pate was returning to the club from Magic and Maitland have also signed Japanese attacking player Yuhei Sato, who parted ways with Lambton in March.
At the time, Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said they cut Sato loose but the Tokyo 23-year-old maintains he left the club in search of a different training environment.
"The reason I joined Maitland was simple - it was because of coach Adam [Hughes]," Sato told the Newcastle Herald.
"When I joined training, I honestly didn't expect to find this level of quality in Australia. I had almost forgotten what real, high-level football felt like - what I experienced back in Japan.
"Now that I'm here, I'll do everything I can to take Maitland to the grand final - and to the FFA Cup Round of 32, which I missed last year due to injury."
Sato played match minutes for Maitland in reserve grade on Saturday.
"He'll be available for selection for Wednesday," Thompson said.
"He's been really sharp in training and is definitely an attacking threat, and I'm interested to see how he goes with some more minutes in the top grade. He's going to be another string to our bow."
Maitland will also bring in Canadian centre-back Brayden Borutskie, who is awaiting an international clearance before he can play.
Both teams were backing up after midweek Australia Cup fixtures. Lambton's was decided in extra time.
"We knew we were going to be up against it," Tanchevski said.
"We had 120 minutes on Wednesday night and we had a fair injury list for this game, then BK [goalkeeper Ben Kennedy] did his calf about 10 minutes in and came off as well.
"We were really good in the first half and created a number of chances but didn't capitalise. In the second half, I think we just died out."
Sixth-placed Jaffas (13 points) will add striker Carter Smith to their roster from Valentine in the NPL transfer window, which opens on Monday.
Third-placed Weston (19) beat 11th-placed Valentine 2-1 at Weston on Saturday. Brock Beveridge opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute.
Phoenix went level at 1-1 in the 35th minute when Bears defender Chris Hurley headed into his own net.
Aaron Niyonkuru sealed the win when he slotted a parried shot in the 54th minute.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday night against unbeaten leaders Edgeworth.
On Sunday, the Olympic-Belswans (Darling Street Oval) and New Lambton-Adamstown (Alder Park) matches were washed out.
Edgeworth and Azzurri's round-11 exchange at Lisle Carr Oval on Friday night was also postponed, as was Cooks Hill's fixture against Broadmeadow at Fearnley Dawes Athletics Field on Saturday.
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Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu left Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, Parma shot-stopper Zion Suzuki and the man dubbed 'Japanese Messi', Takefusa Kubo on the bench, fielding a relatively inexperienced 11. Any hopes of the Japanese simply acquiescing to Australia's hopes were dashed immediately after kick-off, when it became apparent Japan's supposed 'B' team were superior to Australia's 'A'. The Socceroos looked nervy and it probably was not just due to the occasion and as much down to Samurai Blue zipping the ball around, their midfield pivot of Yuito Suzuki and Kaishu Sano dominating proceedings. Riley McGree of the Socceroos controls the ball. Credit: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images Australia were overwhelmed in midfield, gurt by a sea of blue shirts. While they often looking to build-up cautiously from the back, they were forced into cul-de-sacs, which precipitated the ball being launched forward hopefully and inevitably, unsuccessfully. Borrello may have been favoured for his pace, but with the ball never going in behind, his lack of physicality was exposed with Australia needing an outlet. The pre-game atmosphere fizzled out quickly as the Japanese fans were more vocal, their sharp and decisive movement with and without the ball sucking the life out of the crowd. The visitors were composed even when the ball was pin-balling around, and their physicality – often critiqued – unsettled the Socceroos. Australia had 25 per cent of the ball 25 minutes in, which felt like a gross exaggeration, but Japan's lack of clear-cut chances would have heartened the hosts. It took until 33 minutes for them to launch a meaningful shot, when they broke the lines in transition and Suzuki's swift run forward ended in his shot flying wide. One minute later, Australia touched the ball in their opponents' box for the first time, when Connor Metcalfe flicked a corner to the back post; alas, no one was there. Up the other end, Mat Ryan was then left grasping at thin air, despairing as his dive failed to glove Yu Hirakawa's shot – fortunately, it fizzed just wide and Australia survived until half-time. Kosei Tani of Japan saves a shot on goal. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Three minutes after the restart, the Socceroos had a sight on goal after Japan's attempts to play out from the back went wrong, although it only ended in Aziz Behich blasting well wide. Cameron Burgess' speculative header off a long Lewis Miller throw-in raised eyebrows and backsides off seats, but it was easily claimed by Kosei Tani. The introduction of Kubo off the bench posed a new threat for the hosts, with the wily winger immediately asking questions down the right flank. Duke's arrival gave Australia an added dimension up top as he huffed, puffed and harried the Japanese defence, while putting his body on the line to win fouls. With 20 minutes to go and the score still locked at 0-0, Australia still had hope, and the knowledge a goal for them would ignite their World Cup dreams — but conceding one would put them in a world of hurt. In the 80th minute, Kubo almost sunk a dagger into Australian hearts when the ball fell to him following defensive scramble, only for his shot to whistle inches wide. The game was headed to a draw, where no one went home happy. But then, Behich had his green and golden moment.
