Latest news with #CooksHill
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
They made a career switch nine years ago to build something special. The moment has arrived
Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel.
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Weston Bears draw NPL Victoria heavyweight Heidelberg United in Australia Cup
The Weston Bears have drawn NPL Victoria leaders Heidelberg United in Melbourne in the Australia Cup round of 32. The Bears are joined by the Newcastle Jets and Cooks Hill United in the round. Cooks Hill are away NPL South Australia side Adelaide Croatia Raiders, while the Newcastle Jets will host fellow A-League club Adelaide United. Dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed but they will be played over two weeks from mid to late July. It's the first time the Bears or Cooks Hill have reached the round of 32. Weston kept on their winning way in the Northern NSW NPL with a 4-1 win against Lambton Jaffas at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday. Cooper Buswell scored a double, Blake Archbold scored from the penalty spot and the fourth was a Jaffas own-goal. The Bears fifth win in a row, cemented them in third spot on 28 points, 10 points behind leader Edgeworth and nine points adrift of second-placed Broadmeadow, but with two games in hand of both teams. They are five points clear of fourth-placed Charlestown Azzurri, who have played three games more. The Weston Bears have drawn NPL Victoria leaders Heidelberg United in Melbourne in the Australia Cup round of 32. The Bears are joined by the Newcastle Jets and Cooks Hill United in the round. Cooks Hill are away NPL South Australia side Adelaide Croatia Raiders, while the Newcastle Jets will host fellow A-League club Adelaide United. Dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed but they will be played over two weeks from mid to late July. It's the first time the Bears or Cooks Hill have reached the round of 32. Weston kept on their winning way in the Northern NSW NPL with a 4-1 win against Lambton Jaffas at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday. Cooper Buswell scored a double, Blake Archbold scored from the penalty spot and the fourth was a Jaffas own-goal. The Bears fifth win in a row, cemented them in third spot on 28 points, 10 points behind leader Edgeworth and nine points adrift of second-placed Broadmeadow, but with two games in hand of both teams. They are five points clear of fourth-placed Charlestown Azzurri, who have played three games more. The Weston Bears have drawn NPL Victoria leaders Heidelberg United in Melbourne in the Australia Cup round of 32. The Bears are joined by the Newcastle Jets and Cooks Hill United in the round. Cooks Hill are away NPL South Australia side Adelaide Croatia Raiders, while the Newcastle Jets will host fellow A-League club Adelaide United. Dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed but they will be played over two weeks from mid to late July. It's the first time the Bears or Cooks Hill have reached the round of 32. Weston kept on their winning way in the Northern NSW NPL with a 4-1 win against Lambton Jaffas at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday. Cooper Buswell scored a double, Blake Archbold scored from the penalty spot and the fourth was a Jaffas own-goal. The Bears fifth win in a row, cemented them in third spot on 28 points, 10 points behind leader Edgeworth and nine points adrift of second-placed Broadmeadow, but with two games in hand of both teams. They are five points clear of fourth-placed Charlestown Azzurri, who have played three games more. The Weston Bears have drawn NPL Victoria leaders Heidelberg United in Melbourne in the Australia Cup round of 32. The Bears are joined by the Newcastle Jets and Cooks Hill United in the round. Cooks Hill are away NPL South Australia side Adelaide Croatia Raiders, while the Newcastle Jets will host fellow A-League club Adelaide United. Dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed but they will be played over two weeks from mid to late July. It's the first time the Bears or Cooks Hill have reached the round of 32. Weston kept on their winning way in the Northern NSW NPL with a 4-1 win against Lambton Jaffas at Arthur Edden Oval on Saturday. Cooper Buswell scored a double, Blake Archbold scored from the penalty spot and the fourth was a Jaffas own-goal. The Bears fifth win in a row, cemented them in third spot on 28 points, 10 points behind leader Edgeworth and nine points adrift of second-placed Broadmeadow, but with two games in hand of both teams. They are five points clear of fourth-placed Charlestown Azzurri, who have played three games more.
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'It's a good feeling': Underdog secures Cup spot to mark biggest moment in club history
Cooks Hill president Mitch McPherson has described the club's rise into the Australia Cup main draw as the biggest moment in its history after a dramatic night of qualifying action. Cooks Hill beat NPL Northern NSW heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 at Magic Park on Wednesday night to book their maiden appearance in the next stage of the national knockout tournament. At Weston, the goalkeeping heroics of 22-year-old George Stephens lifted the Bears into the final 32 teams for their first time after they defeated Edgeworth in a penalty shootout. The results mean Cooks Hill and the Bears will be the region's representatives in the competition's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. With it comes national exposure. Cooks Hill players and officials were basking in the afterglow on Thursday morning after the ninth-placed NPL side stunned leaders Broadmeadow, who were gunning for an eighth appearance in the Cup's final stage. "We've been pretty successful over the years in working our way up through the various grades," McPherson said. "That's from the old IDs [interdistrict], through zone, a successful [Northern League One] campaign. This is our fourth year of NPL and we've had some OK results, so making it this far, playing on the national stage, is huge." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Josh Benson gave Cooks Hill a 1-0 lead on the counter-attack in the 11th minute. Magic equalised through Ezra Palombini in the 70th minute before Benson assisted substitute Xavier Williams' winning tap-in with seven minutes remaining. Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich, a New Zealand international who has played in leagues around the world, said the achievement was "up there" in terms of his career highlights. "I'm just so happy for the boys in particular because I do demand a lot from them and they have been putting the effort in," Zoricich told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. "I just want them to get rewarded and hopefully last night goes a little way to doing that, putting them on the big stage in the next round. "We knew it was a big game for us, a great opportunity for us, and the boys really took it on board. I don't think they were going to let anything beat them last night ... just the work rate and the determination. "And, for the club as well. I'm happy for the club to be recognised for the hard work that's been done in the background. It's just a good feeling around the club." Cooks Hill do not have the big budgets of some of the more established NPL clubs. Instead, they have backed young talent and players who have been on the Cooks Hill journey. "I did an interview after the game and they asked if I got anyone in during the transfer window and I said I didn't, and if we do get anyone in we can't afford to pay the big bucks that are going around," Zoricich said. "So we identify players, either younger players that need a chance, and we give them that opportunity. And there's a few boys that have been there for a while and have come up through the divisions with the club, and they're the ones that I would really like to reward with something. "For instance, Dan Clements last night was just really happy. He said, 'We've never beaten Magic' and they've never been to round of 32, and it just gives them that opportunity that they've never had. "If it continues, that will be great, but that's my main motivation, to give these boys that have been there through everything, just give them something to hang their hat on and say that they were proud to be part of." The Bears, who are placed third in NPL with five games in hand, beat second-placed Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties after the two sides could not be separated following 120 minutes of play. "It was a big win for the club," Weston coach Kew Jaliens said. "The people at the club have been working very hard to get the club moving forward, so it's great that we as boys on the pitch can do something back in ways like this and give them a good game with a good outcome. "This is a very big opportunity to showcase what we can do, and to put your name on the Australian football map." Stephens was immense, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. "I had a few chats with George in the last week about being mentally strong and believing in himself," Jaliens said. "That is what he showed yesterday ... It was great class to save some of those pens." Originally from Queensland, Stephens relocated to Newcastle when he was 17. He has played at Toronto and Kahibah and was briefly at Edgeworth before taking a break from football for most of last season. "I wasn't enjoying my football too much, so I had a little break and then jumped back into it, and I'm loving it now," Stephens said. The shot-stopper joined Weston this campaign and has been working with A-League goalkeeping coach Andrew Goldman in the Newcastle Jets youth system. "He has played a massive part in my career with the belief, time and effort he's given me," Stephens said of Goldman. NPL leading scorer Ryan Feutz gave Edgeworth a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Wednesday night before Aaron Niyonkuru levelled in the 52nd minute. Jackson Brady scored the opening penalty in the shoot-out before Niyonkuru followed suit. Joseph Melmeth, Jose Atayde and Tyler Harrison were all denied by Stephens while Burke Fahling and Brock Beveridge converted for Weston. "I've only been involved in two penalty shoot-outs, both this year in the Australia Cup," Stephens said. "I was actually pretty excited. It's sort of an opportunity to prove yourself and make a big difference at a club that hasn't progressed to the round of 32 before. "I was just trying to stay focused, keep my head in my game, not get caught up in overthinking anything. "I can't even put into words how incredible that feeling was, saving that third penalty, jumping up and having all of the boys running towards me. It's something that I'll never forget. It's absolutely massive for the club. "I was super proud of all of the boys and their effort. It's a great group of boys out there. I love the club, the team. We have great coaches and I'm really enjoying my time at Weston." The Cup's round of 32 draw will be done on June 25. Meanwhile, New Lambton drew 2-2 with Newcastle Olympic in a rescheduled NPL clash at Darling Street Oval on Wednesday night. Olympic finished with nine men after Nathan Toby and Jed Hornery were red-carded in the late stages. Toby has subsequently been handed a three-match suspension for violent conduct while Hornery will miss one game. It is a classic case of David versus Goliath. At stake is a place in the Australia Cup main draw and a chance to perform on the national stage. Underdogs Cooks Hill will take on NNSW NPL leaders and Australia Cup regulars Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Wednesday night. Weston host another round-of-32 regular Edgeworth in the other NNSW final qualifier, also at 7pm Wednesday. The winners will join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs in the final stages of the national knockout. Cooks Hill, who were promoted to the NNSW NPL in 2022, are yet to progress to the main draw. Magic, in contrast, are gunning for an eighth appearance. Their last Cup run was in 2023, when they went down 4-2 to Sydney United in the round of 32. "It is a final for us," Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich said. "If we got an opportunity on the national stage, it would be fantastic for the club. "We know it will be tough. Magic are up the top [of the league] for a reason." Cooks Hill edged out Northern Stars 1-0 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday to book a date with Magic. Josh Benson converted from the penalty spot in the first half. "We will have to play a lot better than we did Saturday," Zorcich said. "The boys will be up for it." Cooks Hill have struggled for consistency in the NPL and sit in ninth spot on 12 points, mixing four wins with six losses. Their round 11 battle with Magic was washed out and postponed to July 16. "Our form has been very erratic," Zoricich said. "Against Azzurri (1-0 win on April 26), we toughed that one out and I thought here is the turning point. We really dug in and that was a good result for us. "We haven't really kicked on. It has been hard. We haven't been able to train fully and games have been called off. "We have been good in fits and start. I haven't seen the best out of a number of our players that is for sure. "Against Magic, every player in our team has to be on. We have to work extra hard and limit their transitional chances." Magic were beaten by Lambton Jaffas in the NNSW final qualifier last season. They enter the Cooks Hill clash without striker Riley Smith, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the 2-0 win over Maitland on Saturday, and Coby Nancarrow (hamstring). "Our rotation is crucial now to make sure we get the right balance," Magic coach Jim Cresnar said. "We haven't played Cooks Hill [this season]. They will be a hard team to play. They are very mobile, they are well coached. It will be a tough battle at Magic Park. We will need a bit of luck to get through." Weston, like Cooks Hill, are chasing a place in the round of 32 for the first time. They accounted for Lambton 2-1 last Saturday and sit third in the NPL. Edgeworth are aiming for a seventh slot in the round of the 32 since the Australia Cup's inception in 2014. They have qualified in the past two years, going down 4-1 to Olympic Kingsway in Perth last season and losing 4-0 to A-League club Western United at Jack McLaughlin Oval in 2023. The Eagles received a free ride to Wednesday after North Coast outfit Bangalow forfeited. "To go into the main draw of the Australian Cup is a big prize," coach Peter McGuinness said. "It is a good competition to be involved in." Edgeworth's league form has been top notch, stringing seven wins together, the last a 2-0 triumph over Lambton on May 31. "We haven't had a lot of football," coach Peter McGuinness said. "We have been able to get some training in of late, but we are still not match fit. "It will be a tough game. I have watched Weston a few times. They are very well organised and play good football. "Chris Hatfield is a good player. Burke Fahling is a good player. Aaron Niyonkura, Blake Archbold ... they have a lot of good players. "Defensively, we have been pretty sound. I think we have a lot more in us going forward. It is a matter of getting back into games week-in, week out." Cooks Hill president Mitch McPherson has described the club's rise into the Australia Cup main draw as the biggest moment in its history after a dramatic night of qualifying action. Cooks Hill beat NPL Northern NSW heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 at Magic Park on Wednesday night to book their maiden appearance in the next stage of the national knockout tournament. At Weston, the goalkeeping heroics of 22-year-old George Stephens lifted the Bears into the final 32 teams for their first time after they defeated Edgeworth in a penalty shootout. The results mean Cooks Hill and the Bears will be the region's representatives in the competition's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. With it comes national exposure. Cooks Hill players and officials were basking in the afterglow on Thursday morning after the ninth-placed NPL side stunned leaders Broadmeadow, who were gunning for an eighth appearance in the Cup's final stage. "We've been pretty successful over the years in working our way up through the various grades," McPherson said. "That's from the old IDs [interdistrict], through zone, a successful [Northern League One] campaign. This is our fourth year of NPL and we've had some OK results, so making it this far, playing on the national stage, is huge." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Josh Benson gave Cooks Hill a 1-0 lead on the counter-attack in the 11th minute. Magic equalised through Ezra Palombini in the 70th minute before Benson assisted substitute Xavier Williams' winning tap-in with seven minutes remaining. Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich, a New Zealand international who has played in leagues around the world, said the achievement was "up there" in terms of his career highlights. "I'm just so happy for the boys in particular because I do demand a lot from them and they have been putting the effort in," Zoricich told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. "I just want them to get rewarded and hopefully last night goes a little way to doing that, putting them on the big stage in the next round. "We knew it was a big game for us, a great opportunity for us, and the boys really took it on board. I don't think they were going to let anything beat them last night ... just the work rate and the determination. "And, for the club as well. I'm happy for the club to be recognised for the hard work that's been done in the background. It's just a good feeling around the club." Cooks Hill do not have the big budgets of some of the more established NPL clubs. Instead, they have backed young talent and players who have been on the Cooks Hill journey. "I did an interview after the game and they asked if I got anyone in during the transfer window and I said I didn't, and if we do get anyone in we can't afford to pay the big bucks that are going around," Zoricich said. "So we identify players, either younger players that need a chance, and we give them that opportunity. And there's a few boys that have been there for a while and have come up through the divisions with the club, and they're the ones that I would really like to reward with something. "For instance, Dan Clements last night was just really happy. He said, 'We've never beaten Magic' and they've never been to round of 32, and it just gives them that opportunity that they've never had. "If it continues, that will be great, but that's my main motivation, to give these boys that have been there through everything, just give them something to hang their hat on and say that they were proud to be part of." The Bears, who are placed third in NPL with five games in hand, beat second-placed Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties after the two sides could not be separated following 120 minutes of play. "It was a big win for the club," Weston coach Kew Jaliens said. "The people at the club have been working very hard to get the club moving forward, so it's great that we as boys on the pitch can do something back in ways like this and give them a good game with a good outcome. "This is a very big opportunity to showcase what we can do, and to put your name on the Australian football map." Stephens was immense, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. "I had a few chats with George in the last week about being mentally strong and believing in himself," Jaliens said. "That is what he showed yesterday ... It was great class to save some of those pens." Originally from Queensland, Stephens relocated to Newcastle when he was 17. He has played at Toronto and Kahibah and was briefly at Edgeworth before taking a break from football for most of last season. "I wasn't enjoying my football too much, so I had a little break and then jumped back into it, and I'm loving it now," Stephens said. The shot-stopper joined Weston this campaign and has been working with A-League goalkeeping coach Andrew Goldman in the Newcastle Jets youth system. "He has played a massive part in my career with the belief, time and effort he's given me," Stephens said of Goldman. NPL leading scorer Ryan Feutz gave Edgeworth a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Wednesday night before Aaron Niyonkuru levelled in the 52nd minute. Jackson Brady scored the opening penalty in the shoot-out before Niyonkuru followed suit. Joseph Melmeth, Jose Atayde and Tyler Harrison were all denied by Stephens while Burke Fahling and Brock Beveridge converted for Weston. "I've only been involved in two penalty shoot-outs, both this year in the Australia Cup," Stephens said. "I was actually pretty excited. It's sort of an opportunity to prove yourself and make a big difference at a club that hasn't progressed to the round of 32 before. "I was just trying to stay focused, keep my head in my game, not get caught up in overthinking anything. "I can't even put into words how incredible that feeling was, saving that third penalty, jumping up and having all of the boys running towards me. It's something that I'll never forget. It's absolutely massive for the club. "I was super proud of all of the boys and their effort. It's a great group of boys out there. I love the club, the team. We have great coaches and I'm really enjoying my time at Weston." The Cup's round of 32 draw will be done on June 25. Meanwhile, New Lambton drew 2-2 with Newcastle Olympic in a rescheduled NPL clash at Darling Street Oval on Wednesday night. Olympic finished with nine men after Nathan Toby and Jed Hornery were red-carded in the late stages. Toby has subsequently been handed a three-match suspension for violent conduct while Hornery will miss one game. It is a classic case of David versus Goliath. At stake is a place in the Australia Cup main draw and a chance to perform on the national stage. Underdogs Cooks Hill will take on NNSW NPL leaders and Australia Cup regulars Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Wednesday night. Weston host another round-of-32 regular Edgeworth in the other NNSW final qualifier, also at 7pm Wednesday. The winners will join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs in the final stages of the national knockout. Cooks Hill, who were promoted to the NNSW NPL in 2022, are yet to progress to the main draw. Magic, in contrast, are gunning for an eighth appearance. Their last Cup run was in 2023, when they went down 4-2 to Sydney United in the round of 32. "It is a final for us," Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich said. "If we got an opportunity on the national stage, it would be fantastic for the club. "We know it will be tough. Magic are up the top [of the league] for a reason." Cooks Hill edged out Northern Stars 1-0 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday to book a date with Magic. Josh Benson converted from the penalty spot in the first half. "We will have to play a lot better than we did Saturday," Zorcich said. "The boys will be up for it." Cooks Hill have struggled for consistency in the NPL and sit in ninth spot on 12 points, mixing four wins with six losses. Their round 11 battle with Magic was washed out and postponed to July 16. "Our form has been very erratic," Zoricich said. "Against Azzurri (1-0 win on April 26), we toughed that one out and I thought here is the turning point. We really dug in and that was a good result for us. "We haven't really kicked on. It has been hard. We haven't been able to train fully and games have been called off. "We have been good in fits and start. I haven't seen the best out of a number of our players that is for sure. "Against Magic, every player in our team has to be on. We have to work extra hard and limit their transitional chances." Magic were beaten by Lambton Jaffas in the NNSW final qualifier last season. They enter the Cooks Hill clash without striker Riley Smith, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the 2-0 win over Maitland on Saturday, and Coby Nancarrow (hamstring). "Our rotation is crucial now to make sure we get the right balance," Magic coach Jim Cresnar said. "We haven't played Cooks Hill [this season]. They will be a hard team to play. They are very mobile, they are well coached. It will be a tough battle at Magic Park. We will need a bit of luck to get through." Weston, like Cooks Hill, are chasing a place in the round of 32 for the first time. They accounted for Lambton 2-1 last Saturday and sit third in the NPL. Edgeworth are aiming for a seventh slot in the round of the 32 since the Australia Cup's inception in 2014. They have qualified in the past two years, going down 4-1 to Olympic Kingsway in Perth last season and losing 4-0 to A-League club Western United at Jack McLaughlin Oval in 2023. The Eagles received a free ride to Wednesday after North Coast outfit Bangalow forfeited. "To go into the main draw of the Australian Cup is a big prize," coach Peter McGuinness said. "It is a good competition to be involved in." Edgeworth's league form has been top notch, stringing seven wins together, the last a 2-0 triumph over Lambton on May 31. "We haven't had a lot of football," coach Peter McGuinness said. "We have been able to get some training in of late, but we are still not match fit. "It will be a tough game. I have watched Weston a few times. They are very well organised and play good football. "Chris Hatfield is a good player. Burke Fahling is a good player. Aaron Niyonkura, Blake Archbold ... they have a lot of good players. "Defensively, we have been pretty sound. I think we have a lot more in us going forward. It is a matter of getting back into games week-in, week out." Cooks Hill president Mitch McPherson has described the club's rise into the Australia Cup main draw as the biggest moment in its history after a dramatic night of qualifying action. Cooks Hill beat NPL Northern NSW heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 at Magic Park on Wednesday night to book their maiden appearance in the next stage of the national knockout tournament. At Weston, the goalkeeping heroics of 22-year-old George Stephens lifted the Bears into the final 32 teams for their first time after they defeated Edgeworth in a penalty shootout. The results mean Cooks Hill and the Bears will be the region's representatives in the competition's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. With it comes national exposure. Cooks Hill players and officials were basking in the afterglow on Thursday morning after the ninth-placed NPL side stunned leaders Broadmeadow, who were gunning for an eighth appearance in the Cup's final stage. "We've been pretty successful over the years in working our way up through the various grades," McPherson said. "That's from the old IDs [interdistrict], through zone, a successful [Northern League One] campaign. This is our fourth year of NPL and we've had some OK results, so making it this far, playing on the national stage, is huge." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Josh Benson gave Cooks Hill a 1-0 lead on the counter-attack in the 11th minute. Magic equalised through Ezra Palombini in the 70th minute before Benson assisted substitute Xavier Williams' winning tap-in with seven minutes remaining. Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich, a New Zealand international who has played in leagues around the world, said the achievement was "up there" in terms of his career highlights. "I'm just so happy for the boys in particular because I do demand a lot from them and they have been putting the effort in," Zoricich told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. "I just want them to get rewarded and hopefully last night goes a little way to doing that, putting them on the big stage in the next round. "We knew it was a big game for us, a great opportunity for us, and the boys really took it on board. I don't think they were going to let anything beat them last night ... just the work rate and the determination. "And, for the club as well. I'm happy for the club to be recognised for the hard work that's been done in the background. It's just a good feeling around the club." Cooks Hill do not have the big budgets of some of the more established NPL clubs. Instead, they have backed young talent and players who have been on the Cooks Hill journey. "I did an interview after the game and they asked if I got anyone in during the transfer window and I said I didn't, and if we do get anyone in we can't afford to pay the big bucks that are going around," Zoricich said. "So we identify players, either younger players that need a chance, and we give them that opportunity. And there's a few boys that have been there for a while and have come up through the divisions with the club, and they're the ones that I would really like to reward with something. "For instance, Dan Clements last night was just really happy. He said, 'We've never beaten Magic' and they've never been to round of 32, and it just gives them that opportunity that they've never had. "If it continues, that will be great, but that's my main motivation, to give these boys that have been there through everything, just give them something to hang their hat on and say that they were proud to be part of." The Bears, who are placed third in NPL with five games in hand, beat second-placed Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties after the two sides could not be separated following 120 minutes of play. "It was a big win for the club," Weston coach Kew Jaliens said. "The people at the club have been working very hard to get the club moving forward, so it's great that we as boys on the pitch can do something back in ways like this and give them a good game with a good outcome. "This is a very big opportunity to showcase what we can do, and to put your name on the Australian football map." Stephens was immense, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. "I had a few chats with George in the last week about being mentally strong and believing in himself," Jaliens said. "That is what he showed yesterday ... It was great class to save some of those pens." Originally from Queensland, Stephens relocated to Newcastle when he was 17. He has played at Toronto and Kahibah and was briefly at Edgeworth before taking a break from football for most of last season. "I wasn't enjoying my football too much, so I had a little break and then jumped back into it, and I'm loving it now," Stephens said. The shot-stopper joined Weston this campaign and has been working with A-League goalkeeping coach Andrew Goldman in the Newcastle Jets youth system. "He has played a massive part in my career with the belief, time and effort he's given me," Stephens said of Goldman. NPL leading scorer Ryan Feutz gave Edgeworth a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Wednesday night before Aaron Niyonkuru levelled in the 52nd minute. Jackson Brady scored the opening penalty in the shoot-out before Niyonkuru followed suit. Joseph Melmeth, Jose Atayde and Tyler Harrison were all denied by Stephens while Burke Fahling and Brock Beveridge converted for Weston. "I've only been involved in two penalty shoot-outs, both this year in the Australia Cup," Stephens said. "I was actually pretty excited. It's sort of an opportunity to prove yourself and make a big difference at a club that hasn't progressed to the round of 32 before. "I was just trying to stay focused, keep my head in my game, not get caught up in overthinking anything. "I can't even put into words how incredible that feeling was, saving that third penalty, jumping up and having all of the boys running towards me. It's something that I'll never forget. It's absolutely massive for the club. "I was super proud of all of the boys and their effort. It's a great group of boys out there. I love the club, the team. We have great coaches and I'm really enjoying my time at Weston." The Cup's round of 32 draw will be done on June 25. Meanwhile, New Lambton drew 2-2 with Newcastle Olympic in a rescheduled NPL clash at Darling Street Oval on Wednesday night. Olympic finished with nine men after Nathan Toby and Jed Hornery were red-carded in the late stages. Toby has subsequently been handed a three-match suspension for violent conduct while Hornery will miss one game. It is a classic case of David versus Goliath. At stake is a place in the Australia Cup main draw and a chance to perform on the national stage. Underdogs Cooks Hill will take on NNSW NPL leaders and Australia Cup regulars Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Wednesday night. Weston host another round-of-32 regular Edgeworth in the other NNSW final qualifier, also at 7pm Wednesday. The winners will join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs in the final stages of the national knockout. Cooks Hill, who were promoted to the NNSW NPL in 2022, are yet to progress to the main draw. Magic, in contrast, are gunning for an eighth appearance. Their last Cup run was in 2023, when they went down 4-2 to Sydney United in the round of 32. "It is a final for us," Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich said. "If we got an opportunity on the national stage, it would be fantastic for the club. "We know it will be tough. Magic are up the top [of the league] for a reason." Cooks Hill edged out Northern Stars 1-0 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday to book a date with Magic. Josh Benson converted from the penalty spot in the first half. "We will have to play a lot better than we did Saturday," Zorcich said. "The boys will be up for it." Cooks Hill have struggled for consistency in the NPL and sit in ninth spot on 12 points, mixing four wins with six losses. Their round 11 battle with Magic was washed out and postponed to July 16. "Our form has been very erratic," Zoricich said. "Against Azzurri (1-0 win on April 26), we toughed that one out and I thought here is the turning point. We really dug in and that was a good result for us. "We haven't really kicked on. It has been hard. We haven't been able to train fully and games have been called off. "We have been good in fits and start. I haven't seen the best out of a number of our players that is for sure. "Against Magic, every player in our team has to be on. We have to work extra hard and limit their transitional chances." Magic were beaten by Lambton Jaffas in the NNSW final qualifier last season. They enter the Cooks Hill clash without striker Riley Smith, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the 2-0 win over Maitland on Saturday, and Coby Nancarrow (hamstring). "Our rotation is crucial now to make sure we get the right balance," Magic coach Jim Cresnar said. "We haven't played Cooks Hill [this season]. They will be a hard team to play. They are very mobile, they are well coached. It will be a tough battle at Magic Park. We will need a bit of luck to get through." Weston, like Cooks Hill, are chasing a place in the round of 32 for the first time. They accounted for Lambton 2-1 last Saturday and sit third in the NPL. Edgeworth are aiming for a seventh slot in the round of the 32 since the Australia Cup's inception in 2014. They have qualified in the past two years, going down 4-1 to Olympic Kingsway in Perth last season and losing 4-0 to A-League club Western United at Jack McLaughlin Oval in 2023. The Eagles received a free ride to Wednesday after North Coast outfit Bangalow forfeited. "To go into the main draw of the Australian Cup is a big prize," coach Peter McGuinness said. "It is a good competition to be involved in." Edgeworth's league form has been top notch, stringing seven wins together, the last a 2-0 triumph over Lambton on May 31. "We haven't had a lot of football," coach Peter McGuinness said. "We have been able to get some training in of late, but we are still not match fit. "It will be a tough game. I have watched Weston a few times. They are very well organised and play good football. "Chris Hatfield is a good player. Burke Fahling is a good player. Aaron Niyonkura, Blake Archbold ... they have a lot of good players. "Defensively, we have been pretty sound. I think we have a lot more in us going forward. It is a matter of getting back into games week-in, week out." Cooks Hill president Mitch McPherson has described the club's rise into the Australia Cup main draw as the biggest moment in its history after a dramatic night of qualifying action. Cooks Hill beat NPL Northern NSW heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 at Magic Park on Wednesday night to book their maiden appearance in the next stage of the national knockout tournament. At Weston, the goalkeeping heroics of 22-year-old George Stephens lifted the Bears into the final 32 teams for their first time after they defeated Edgeworth in a penalty shootout. The results mean Cooks Hill and the Bears will be the region's representatives in the competition's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. With it comes national exposure. Cooks Hill players and officials were basking in the afterglow on Thursday morning after the ninth-placed NPL side stunned leaders Broadmeadow, who were gunning for an eighth appearance in the Cup's final stage. "We've been pretty successful over the years in working our way up through the various grades," McPherson said. "That's from the old IDs [interdistrict], through zone, a successful [Northern League One] campaign. This is our fourth year of NPL and we've had some OK results, so making it this far, playing on the national stage, is huge." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Josh Benson gave Cooks Hill a 1-0 lead on the counter-attack in the 11th minute. Magic equalised through Ezra Palombini in the 70th minute before Benson assisted substitute Xavier Williams' winning tap-in with seven minutes remaining. Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich, a New Zealand international who has played in leagues around the world, said the achievement was "up there" in terms of his career highlights. "I'm just so happy for the boys in particular because I do demand a lot from them and they have been putting the effort in," Zoricich told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. "I just want them to get rewarded and hopefully last night goes a little way to doing that, putting them on the big stage in the next round. "We knew it was a big game for us, a great opportunity for us, and the boys really took it on board. I don't think they were going to let anything beat them last night ... just the work rate and the determination. "And, for the club as well. I'm happy for the club to be recognised for the hard work that's been done in the background. It's just a good feeling around the club." Cooks Hill do not have the big budgets of some of the more established NPL clubs. Instead, they have backed young talent and players who have been on the Cooks Hill journey. "I did an interview after the game and they asked if I got anyone in during the transfer window and I said I didn't, and if we do get anyone in we can't afford to pay the big bucks that are going around," Zoricich said. "So we identify players, either younger players that need a chance, and we give them that opportunity. And there's a few boys that have been there for a while and have come up through the divisions with the club, and they're the ones that I would really like to reward with something. "For instance, Dan Clements last night was just really happy. He said, 'We've never beaten Magic' and they've never been to round of 32, and it just gives them that opportunity that they've never had. "If it continues, that will be great, but that's my main motivation, to give these boys that have been there through everything, just give them something to hang their hat on and say that they were proud to be part of." The Bears, who are placed third in NPL with five games in hand, beat second-placed Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties after the two sides could not be separated following 120 minutes of play. "It was a big win for the club," Weston coach Kew Jaliens said. "The people at the club have been working very hard to get the club moving forward, so it's great that we as boys on the pitch can do something back in ways like this and give them a good game with a good outcome. "This is a very big opportunity to showcase what we can do, and to put your name on the Australian football map." Stephens was immense, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. "I had a few chats with George in the last week about being mentally strong and believing in himself," Jaliens said. "That is what he showed yesterday ... It was great class to save some of those pens." Originally from Queensland, Stephens relocated to Newcastle when he was 17. He has played at Toronto and Kahibah and was briefly at Edgeworth before taking a break from football for most of last season. "I wasn't enjoying my football too much, so I had a little break and then jumped back into it, and I'm loving it now," Stephens said. The shot-stopper joined Weston this campaign and has been working with A-League goalkeeping coach Andrew Goldman in the Newcastle Jets youth system. "He has played a massive part in my career with the belief, time and effort he's given me," Stephens said of Goldman. NPL leading scorer Ryan Feutz gave Edgeworth a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on Wednesday night before Aaron Niyonkuru levelled in the 52nd minute. Jackson Brady scored the opening penalty in the shoot-out before Niyonkuru followed suit. Joseph Melmeth, Jose Atayde and Tyler Harrison were all denied by Stephens while Burke Fahling and Brock Beveridge converted for Weston. "I've only been involved in two penalty shoot-outs, both this year in the Australia Cup," Stephens said. "I was actually pretty excited. It's sort of an opportunity to prove yourself and make a big difference at a club that hasn't progressed to the round of 32 before. "I was just trying to stay focused, keep my head in my game, not get caught up in overthinking anything. "I can't even put into words how incredible that feeling was, saving that third penalty, jumping up and having all of the boys running towards me. It's something that I'll never forget. It's absolutely massive for the club. "I was super proud of all of the boys and their effort. It's a great group of boys out there. I love the club, the team. We have great coaches and I'm really enjoying my time at Weston." The Cup's round of 32 draw will be done on June 25. Meanwhile, New Lambton drew 2-2 with Newcastle Olympic in a rescheduled NPL clash at Darling Street Oval on Wednesday night. Olympic finished with nine men after Nathan Toby and Jed Hornery were red-carded in the late stages. Toby has subsequently been handed a three-match suspension for violent conduct while Hornery will miss one game. It is a classic case of David versus Goliath. At stake is a place in the Australia Cup main draw and a chance to perform on the national stage. Underdogs Cooks Hill will take on NNSW NPL leaders and Australia Cup regulars Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Wednesday night. Weston host another round-of-32 regular Edgeworth in the other NNSW final qualifier, also at 7pm Wednesday. The winners will join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs in the final stages of the national knockout. Cooks Hill, who were promoted to the NNSW NPL in 2022, are yet to progress to the main draw. Magic, in contrast, are gunning for an eighth appearance. Their last Cup run was in 2023, when they went down 4-2 to Sydney United in the round of 32. "It is a final for us," Cooks Hill coach Chris Zoricich said. "If we got an opportunity on the national stage, it would be fantastic for the club. "We know it will be tough. Magic are up the top [of the league] for a reason." Cooks Hill edged out Northern Stars 1-0 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday to book a date with Magic. Josh Benson converted from the penalty spot in the first half. "We will have to play a lot better than we did Saturday," Zorcich said. "The boys will be up for it." Cooks Hill have struggled for consistency in the NPL and sit in ninth spot on 12 points, mixing four wins with six losses. Their round 11 battle with Magic was washed out and postponed to July 16. "Our form has been very erratic," Zoricich said. "Against Azzurri (1-0 win on April 26), we toughed that one out and I thought here is the turning point. We really dug in and that was a good result for us. "We haven't really kicked on. It has been hard. We haven't been able to train fully and games have been called off. "We have been good in fits and start. I haven't seen the best out of a number of our players that is for sure. "Against Magic, every player in our team has to be on. We have to work extra hard and limit their transitional chances." Magic were beaten by Lambton Jaffas in the NNSW final qualifier last season. They enter the Cooks Hill clash without striker Riley Smith, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the 2-0 win over Maitland on Saturday, and Coby Nancarrow (hamstring). "Our rotation is crucial now to make sure we get the right balance," Magic coach Jim Cresnar said. "We haven't played Cooks Hill [this season]. They will be a hard team to play. They are very mobile, they are well coached. It will be a tough battle at Magic Park. We will need a bit of luck to get through." Weston, like Cooks Hill, are chasing a place in the round of 32 for the first time. They accounted for Lambton 2-1 last Saturday and sit third in the NPL. Edgeworth are aiming for a seventh slot in the round of the 32 since the Australia Cup's inception in 2014. They have qualified in the past two years, going down 4-1 to Olympic Kingsway in Perth last season and losing 4-0 to A-League club Western United at Jack McLaughlin Oval in 2023. The Eagles received a free ride to Wednesday after North Coast outfit Bangalow forfeited. "To go into the main draw of the Australian Cup is a big prize," coach Peter McGuinness said. "It is a good competition to be involved in." Edgeworth's league form has been top notch, stringing seven wins together, the last a 2-0 triumph over Lambton on May 31. "We haven't had a lot of football," coach Peter McGuinness said. "We have been able to get some training in of late, but we are still not match fit. "It will be a tough game. I have watched Weston a few times. They are very well organised and play good football. "Chris Hatfield is a good player. Burke Fahling is a good player. Aaron Niyonkura, Blake Archbold ... they have a lot of good players. "Defensively, we have been pretty sound. I think we have a lot more in us going forward. It is a matter of getting back into games week-in, week out."
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Coach releived for league to be back up and running after 'mini preseason'
CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm). CHARLESTOWN Azzurri coach James Pascoe has treated the past month like a mini preseason. His players have done circuit classes, run along Nobbys breakwall and played modified games on a five-a-side court. It has been a similar scenario for all NNSW NPL clubs. Finally, the big wet has broken long enough to allow games to be played. Fourth-placed Azzurri host fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic at Lilse Carr Oval on Sunday at 2pm. The clash will be Azzurri's first league match since a 1-0 loss to Cooks Hill on April 28. Though relieved to be back in action, Pascoe expects it will take at least two weeks for teams to get up to full speed. "Tuesday night was the first time we have trained on a grass pitch in four weeks," Pascoe said. "It has been a bit like preseason. Even on five-a-side courts, you are restricted in what you can do. You need a distance element to simulate a 90-minute game. "The only good thing about it is that everyone is in the same boat. "I had a bit of a look at the Magic-Valentine catch-up game [Tuesday night]. It looked to be at a slower pace than most games. I imagine that is how every game will be in the next week or two." Azzurri have four catch-up games to play. "You go from not much football to having a huge game-load schedule," Pascoe said. "We will have to keep a close eye on the injury risk. That is why we have biggish squads, I guess. Players will be rolled in and out at different times. "What will be, will be for the next couple of weeks until players find their rhythm again." Azzurri edged Olympic 1-0 in their first encounter at Darling Street Oval on March 2. However, they are coming off consecutive losses to Maitland (2-1) and Cooks Hill (1-0). "A lack of goals has been our downfall in the past couple of games," Pascoe said. "We have created plenty of chances but haven't converted. We should have been fairly confortable in term of chances created. "Hopefully that changes. We have plenty of firepower up top in Harrison Frendo, Reece McManus, Regan Lundy and Jarryd Sutherland. Rene Ferguson has been doing a job off the bench. "Roy O'Donovan will be back for Olympic. He is a very good finsiher and will make a difference for them." In round 14 games on Saturday, Lambton host Eadgeworth (2pm), Belswans' clash with Valentine has been shifted to Croudace Bay Complex (4.30pm) and Maitland welcome Adamstown (6.30pm). However, the battle between Cooks Hill and Weston has been postponed due to unsafe areas on the surface. Broadmeadow, who were playing New Lambton on Friday night, moved top of the table midweek after beating Valentine 2-0. It was the first of five catch-up matches for the defending champions and premiers. In NPLW, fourth-placed New Lambton closed the gap on third-placed Olympic to one point with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lake Macquarie on Tuesday night. Tara Andrews scored in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the important win and take her season tally to 21 goals in 10 games. In NPLW this weekend, Olympic were hosting Maitland on Friday night, Adamstown travel to Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) and last-placed Magic, who lost 2-0 to Adamstown in a midweek catch-up, are home to New Lambton on Sunday (4pm).
