Latest news with #NPLNorthernNSW
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Water all around': Star defender flooded in as multiple codes, players affected
Several sporting competitions have been abandoned throughout the Hunter this weekend due to extreme wet weather while some teams playing on are likely to be without personnel due to flooding. Hunter rugby union and AFL Hunter Central Coast junior and senior competitions have been called off, along with Newcastle Hunter Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby League and the joint zones (Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley) interdistrict and miniroos soccer. However, at least two community soccer clubs have booked synthetic fields at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to get some miniroos games played for their younger members. Some community soccer teams are yet to play a match after five weekends of competition. In NPL Northern NSW, defending men's champions and premiers Broadmeadow had a fifth successive match postponed on Friday night. Newcastle netball cancelled its Friday night programs and a representative carnival scheduled for National Park on Sunday but hoped to proceed with Saturday competition, weather pending. Waratah face a tough task in their attempt to secure a third straight victory in championship netball at 2.30pm. Waratah, on nine points and in a two-way tussle for fifth position with Junction, play fourth-placed Souths (11 points) after beating BNC (43-35) then Kotara South (37-29). Coach Dwight Graham said the challenge could become even bigger with both circle defenders - Melanie Coleman and Vivien Rendina - likely to be out. Rendina is unavailable while Coleman, the competition's back-to-back Most Valuable Player, was stranded by floodwaters near Raymond Terrace on Friday. "Mel Coleman, my captain and star defender who the last two year's running has won best player in the grade, is at the moment flooded in," Graham told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. "She's safe and on high ground but she can't get out. She lives northwest of Raymond Terrace. She sent me a video and there's water all around. She's well above it but they can't get out, so there's a fairly high chance that she may not play. "Last week we won the game but there were times where we struggled, and every time we did struggle a bit, she was the one who picked off a few intercepts and lifted the team again, so losing her would be a bit of an issue for us." In other round-six championship exchanges, unbeaten leaders Norths play last-placed Kotara South, West Leagues Balance battle BNC and Junction take on Nova. The Hunter Wildfires women's first-grade team could be without coach Joey de Dassel and a number of players, who are based on the Mid North Coast, when they challenge Parramatta at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney's west on Saturday (4.50pm). Wildfires general manager Stuart Pinkerton said the women's first-grade team would draw on division-two players for their Chikarovski Cup showdown with the Two Blues in Sydney premier rugby union. The women's division-two game has been postponed. "We will have players who will be affected, but we're lucky to be able to draw from two teams now," Pinkerton told the Herald on Friday afternoon. "Some players have been advised not to travel because it's just not safe. "Joey is at Toormina. He's looked at flights and trying to get there is quite expensive at this late stage and the road is still closed, so he's unsure if he's arriving or not yet." Five NPL Men Northern NSW matches, including Broadmeadow's round-14 game against Lambton at Arthur Edden Oval on Friday night, were postponed. A decision on Sunday's fixture (4.30pm) between Weston and Newcastle Olympic at Weston Park is set to be made on Saturday. In NPL Women, two games should get on. The Friday night exchange between New Lambton and Adamstown (8pm) and Saturday's Lake Macquarie-Broadmeadow battle (6pm) were both being played on synthetic pitches at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Charlestown's match against Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday (4pm) has been postponed. In Newcastle Rugby League, the Kurri Kurri v West and Macquarie v The Entrance fixtures have been postponed. Three games are still scheduled for Sunday. Maitland host Central Newcastle (3.15pm), Souths travel to Wyong (3pm) and Cessnock are home to Northern Hawks (3pm). Newcastle men's and women's hockey competition looked set to proceed. In women's action at Broadmeadow on Saturday, unbeaten leaders Oxfords play third-placed Souths (1.45pm) and Uni take on Norah Head (3pm). On the Central Coast, Gosford meet Tigers (3pm). In premier men on Sunday at Broadmeadow, undefeated Gosford battle fifth-placed Tigers (1pm) and fourth-placed Wests play last-placed Maitland (2.30pm). Junior boys hockey competition at Newcastle and Maitland on Friday night was cancelled. In Australian Ice Hockey League, the Newcastle Northstars have an away weekend double-header against Adelaide. Several sporting competitions have been abandoned throughout the Hunter this weekend due to extreme wet weather while some teams playing on are likely to be without personnel due to flooding. Hunter rugby union and AFL Hunter Central Coast junior and senior competitions have been called off, along with Newcastle Hunter Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby League and the joint zones (Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley) interdistrict and miniroos soccer. However, at least two community soccer clubs have booked synthetic fields at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to get some miniroos games played for their younger members. Some community soccer teams are yet to play a match after five weekends of competition. In NPL Northern NSW, defending men's champions and premiers Broadmeadow had a fifth successive match postponed on Friday night. Newcastle netball cancelled its Friday night programs and a representative carnival scheduled for National Park on Sunday but hoped to proceed with Saturday competition, weather pending. Waratah face a tough task in their attempt to secure a third straight victory in championship netball at 2.30pm. Waratah, on nine points and in a two-way tussle for fifth position with Junction, play fourth-placed Souths (11 points) after beating BNC (43-35) then Kotara South (37-29). Coach Dwight Graham said the challenge could become even bigger with both circle defenders - Melanie Coleman and Vivien Rendina - likely to be out. Rendina is unavailable while Coleman, the competition's back-to-back Most Valuable Player, was stranded by floodwaters near Raymond Terrace on Friday. "Mel Coleman, my captain and star defender who the last two year's running has won best player in the grade, is at the moment flooded in," Graham told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. "She's safe and on high ground but she can't get out. She lives northwest of Raymond Terrace. She sent me a video and there's water all around. She's well above it but they can't get out, so there's a fairly high chance that she may not play. "Last week we won the game but there were times where we struggled, and every time we did struggle a bit, she was the one who picked off a few intercepts and lifted the team again, so losing her would be a bit of an issue for us." In other round-six championship exchanges, unbeaten leaders Norths play last-placed Kotara South, West Leagues Balance battle BNC and Junction take on Nova. The Hunter Wildfires women's first-grade team could be without coach Joey de Dassel and a number of players, who are based on the Mid North Coast, when they challenge Parramatta at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney's west on Saturday (4.50pm). Wildfires general manager Stuart Pinkerton said the women's first-grade team would draw on division-two players for their Chikarovski Cup showdown with the Two Blues in Sydney premier rugby union. The women's division-two game has been postponed. "We will have players who will be affected, but we're lucky to be able to draw from two teams now," Pinkerton told the Herald on Friday afternoon. "Some players have been advised not to travel because it's just not safe. "Joey is at Toormina. He's looked at flights and trying to get there is quite expensive at this late stage and the road is still closed, so he's unsure if he's arriving or not yet." Five NPL Men Northern NSW matches, including Broadmeadow's round-14 game against Lambton at Arthur Edden Oval on Friday night, were postponed. A decision on Sunday's fixture (4.30pm) between Weston and Newcastle Olympic at Weston Park is set to be made on Saturday. In NPL Women, two games should get on. The Friday night exchange between New Lambton and Adamstown (8pm) and Saturday's Lake Macquarie-Broadmeadow battle (6pm) were both being played on synthetic pitches at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Charlestown's match against Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday (4pm) has been postponed. In Newcastle Rugby League, the Kurri Kurri v West and Macquarie v The Entrance fixtures have been postponed. Three games are still scheduled for Sunday. Maitland host Central Newcastle (3.15pm), Souths travel to Wyong (3pm) and Cessnock are home to Northern Hawks (3pm). Newcastle men's and women's hockey competition looked set to proceed. In women's action at Broadmeadow on Saturday, unbeaten leaders Oxfords play third-placed Souths (1.45pm) and Uni take on Norah Head (3pm). On the Central Coast, Gosford meet Tigers (3pm). In premier men on Sunday at Broadmeadow, undefeated Gosford battle fifth-placed Tigers (1pm) and fourth-placed Wests play last-placed Maitland (2.30pm). Junior boys hockey competition at Newcastle and Maitland on Friday night was cancelled. In Australian Ice Hockey League, the Newcastle Northstars have an away weekend double-header against Adelaide. Several sporting competitions have been abandoned throughout the Hunter this weekend due to extreme wet weather while some teams playing on are likely to be without personnel due to flooding. Hunter rugby union and AFL Hunter Central Coast junior and senior competitions have been called off, along with Newcastle Hunter Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby League and the joint zones (Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley) interdistrict and miniroos soccer. However, at least two community soccer clubs have booked synthetic fields at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to get some miniroos games played for their younger members. Some community soccer teams are yet to play a match after five weekends of competition. In NPL Northern NSW, defending men's champions and premiers Broadmeadow had a fifth successive match postponed on Friday night. Newcastle netball cancelled its Friday night programs and a representative carnival scheduled for National Park on Sunday but hoped to proceed with Saturday competition, weather pending. Waratah face a tough task in their attempt to secure a third straight victory in championship netball at 2.30pm. Waratah, on nine points and in a two-way tussle for fifth position with Junction, play fourth-placed Souths (11 points) after beating BNC (43-35) then Kotara South (37-29). Coach Dwight Graham said the challenge could become even bigger with both circle defenders - Melanie Coleman and Vivien Rendina - likely to be out. Rendina is unavailable while Coleman, the competition's back-to-back Most Valuable Player, was stranded by floodwaters near Raymond Terrace on Friday. "Mel Coleman, my captain and star defender who the last two year's running has won best player in the grade, is at the moment flooded in," Graham told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. "She's safe and on high ground but she can't get out. She lives northwest of Raymond Terrace. She sent me a video and there's water all around. She's well above it but they can't get out, so there's a fairly high chance that she may not play. "Last week we won the game but there were times where we struggled, and every time we did struggle a bit, she was the one who picked off a few intercepts and lifted the team again, so losing her would be a bit of an issue for us." In other round-six championship exchanges, unbeaten leaders Norths play last-placed Kotara South, West Leagues Balance battle BNC and Junction take on Nova. The Hunter Wildfires women's first-grade team could be without coach Joey de Dassel and a number of players, who are based on the Mid North Coast, when they challenge Parramatta at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney's west on Saturday (4.50pm). Wildfires general manager Stuart Pinkerton said the women's first-grade team would draw on division-two players for their Chikarovski Cup showdown with the Two Blues in Sydney premier rugby union. The women's division-two game has been postponed. "We will have players who will be affected, but we're lucky to be able to draw from two teams now," Pinkerton told the Herald on Friday afternoon. "Some players have been advised not to travel because it's just not safe. "Joey is at Toormina. He's looked at flights and trying to get there is quite expensive at this late stage and the road is still closed, so he's unsure if he's arriving or not yet." Five NPL Men Northern NSW matches, including Broadmeadow's round-14 game against Lambton at Arthur Edden Oval on Friday night, were postponed. A decision on Sunday's fixture (4.30pm) between Weston and Newcastle Olympic at Weston Park is set to be made on Saturday. In NPL Women, two games should get on. The Friday night exchange between New Lambton and Adamstown (8pm) and Saturday's Lake Macquarie-Broadmeadow battle (6pm) were both being played on synthetic pitches at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Charlestown's match against Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday (4pm) has been postponed. In Newcastle Rugby League, the Kurri Kurri v West and Macquarie v The Entrance fixtures have been postponed. Three games are still scheduled for Sunday. Maitland host Central Newcastle (3.15pm), Souths travel to Wyong (3pm) and Cessnock are home to Northern Hawks (3pm). Newcastle men's and women's hockey competition looked set to proceed. In women's action at Broadmeadow on Saturday, unbeaten leaders Oxfords play third-placed Souths (1.45pm) and Uni take on Norah Head (3pm). On the Central Coast, Gosford meet Tigers (3pm). In premier men on Sunday at Broadmeadow, undefeated Gosford battle fifth-placed Tigers (1pm) and fourth-placed Wests play last-placed Maitland (2.30pm). Junior boys hockey competition at Newcastle and Maitland on Friday night was cancelled. In Australian Ice Hockey League, the Newcastle Northstars have an away weekend double-header against Adelaide. Several sporting competitions have been abandoned throughout the Hunter this weekend due to extreme wet weather while some teams playing on are likely to be without personnel due to flooding. Hunter rugby union and AFL Hunter Central Coast junior and senior competitions have been called off, along with Newcastle Hunter Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby League and the joint zones (Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley) interdistrict and miniroos soccer. However, at least two community soccer clubs have booked synthetic fields at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to get some miniroos games played for their younger members. Some community soccer teams are yet to play a match after five weekends of competition. In NPL Northern NSW, defending men's champions and premiers Broadmeadow had a fifth successive match postponed on Friday night. Newcastle netball cancelled its Friday night programs and a representative carnival scheduled for National Park on Sunday but hoped to proceed with Saturday competition, weather pending. Waratah face a tough task in their attempt to secure a third straight victory in championship netball at 2.30pm. Waratah, on nine points and in a two-way tussle for fifth position with Junction, play fourth-placed Souths (11 points) after beating BNC (43-35) then Kotara South (37-29). Coach Dwight Graham said the challenge could become even bigger with both circle defenders - Melanie Coleman and Vivien Rendina - likely to be out. Rendina is unavailable while Coleman, the competition's back-to-back Most Valuable Player, was stranded by floodwaters near Raymond Terrace on Friday. "Mel Coleman, my captain and star defender who the last two year's running has won best player in the grade, is at the moment flooded in," Graham told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. "She's safe and on high ground but she can't get out. She lives northwest of Raymond Terrace. She sent me a video and there's water all around. She's well above it but they can't get out, so there's a fairly high chance that she may not play. "Last week we won the game but there were times where we struggled, and every time we did struggle a bit, she was the one who picked off a few intercepts and lifted the team again, so losing her would be a bit of an issue for us." In other round-six championship exchanges, unbeaten leaders Norths play last-placed Kotara South, West Leagues Balance battle BNC and Junction take on Nova. The Hunter Wildfires women's first-grade team could be without coach Joey de Dassel and a number of players, who are based on the Mid North Coast, when they challenge Parramatta at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney's west on Saturday (4.50pm). Wildfires general manager Stuart Pinkerton said the women's first-grade team would draw on division-two players for their Chikarovski Cup showdown with the Two Blues in Sydney premier rugby union. The women's division-two game has been postponed. "We will have players who will be affected, but we're lucky to be able to draw from two teams now," Pinkerton told the Herald on Friday afternoon. "Some players have been advised not to travel because it's just not safe. "Joey is at Toormina. He's looked at flights and trying to get there is quite expensive at this late stage and the road is still closed, so he's unsure if he's arriving or not yet." Five NPL Men Northern NSW matches, including Broadmeadow's round-14 game against Lambton at Arthur Edden Oval on Friday night, were postponed. A decision on Sunday's fixture (4.30pm) between Weston and Newcastle Olympic at Weston Park is set to be made on Saturday. In NPL Women, two games should get on. The Friday night exchange between New Lambton and Adamstown (8pm) and Saturday's Lake Macquarie-Broadmeadow battle (6pm) were both being played on synthetic pitches at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Charlestown's match against Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday (4pm) has been postponed. In Newcastle Rugby League, the Kurri Kurri v West and Macquarie v The Entrance fixtures have been postponed. Three games are still scheduled for Sunday. Maitland host Central Newcastle (3.15pm), Souths travel to Wyong (3pm) and Cessnock are home to Northern Hawks (3pm). Newcastle men's and women's hockey competition looked set to proceed. In women's action at Broadmeadow on Saturday, unbeaten leaders Oxfords play third-placed Souths (1.45pm) and Uni take on Norah Head (3pm). On the Central Coast, Gosford meet Tigers (3pm). In premier men on Sunday at Broadmeadow, undefeated Gosford battle fifth-placed Tigers (1pm) and fourth-placed Wests play last-placed Maitland (2.30pm). Junior boys hockey competition at Newcastle and Maitland on Friday night was cancelled. In Australian Ice Hockey League, the Newcastle Northstars have an away weekend double-header against Adelaide.
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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.
