While a local derby with the recently promoted Maitland Magpies will be on the agenda for next year’s Northern NSW National Premier League, the Weston Bears have more pressing matters to deal with.
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After falling just seven minutes short of a minor premiership a fortnight ago the Bears will aim to bounce back when they host the qualifying semi-final against Lambton Jaffas at Rockwell Automation Park on Sunday.
The Bears finished the regular season in second spot after the Newcastle Jets Youth side nabbed a late equaliser in the final round encounter to snatch the crown from Weston’s grasp.
A win would have sealed the deal for Weston in front of their home crowd but instead they will now reset their sights on claiming a major premiership.
They are just three wins away but grand final glory has eluded the Bears in recent times, with failed attempts in 2004 and 2010.
Their last triumph was almost two decades ago in 1995.
And with only seven points separating the top five sides in this year’s competition the trophy is well and truly up for grabs.
Recent form falls in favour of the Bears, having stormed home in their 50th straight season of Northern NSW top flight competition.
The Bears dropped just one game in the second round and were unbeaten in their last five, including four wins in a row.
Bears coach Steve Piggott was pleased with the way his squad has performed in the second half of the season, especially after claiming just one point in the month of May.
But he said finals football was an entirely new ball game.
“We have only dropped one game in 10 and as a coach you hope to have that sort of momentum going into a finals series,” Piggott said.
“But this time of year is a new challenge and you need to go up a gear because there is pressure coming from everywhere – players, coaches and supporters.”
In terms of their weekend opponents, Weston have got the better of head-to-head battles with Lambton this season courtesy of a 2-1 win away on April 18 and a 2-all draw at home on June 29.
Despite the previous results Piggott said he was wary of the Jaffas squad and Weston would need to take their chances when they arise.
“We had some good spells against them in both games but you can’t dominate a whole game in this league because of the quality in this competition,” he said.
“It will come down to who takes their opportunities on the weekend and that might mean taking a risk here or there.
“They have quality players right across their group with experience, pace and a good goalkeeper.
“It should be a good game and we are looking forward to it.”
Piggott said he would wait until after the Bears’ final training session on Friday night to decide on playing a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation against the Jaffas.
This would depend largely on the fitness of midfielder Robbie Turnbull, who copped a knock to the thigh at training on Monday. Piggott said the remaining 17 players were fit and ready to go.
Bears striker Jamie Subat will miss the game through suspension.
Kick off is 2.45pm.
Charlestown City host Edgeworth in the elimination semi-final on Saturday while Newcastle Jets Youth have the weekend off.
In other football news the Maitland Magpies and Thornton Redbacks have all three teams featuring in Northern NSW First Division play-offs this weekend with the clubs’ first grade squads going head to head at Thornton on Saturday (3pm).