Maitland will get the chance to add grand final success to their Northern NSW First Division premiership after they dismantled Thornton 9-1 in the semi-final second leg at Cook Square Park on Sunday.
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The Magpies went into the second leg off the back of a 4-0 win at Thornton in the first leg and if there was any danger of complacency setting in it was soon extinguished.
Defender Murray Leyland continued his goalscoring form with a long-range effort to open the scoring, and from there the floodgates opened.
Joel Wood added a brace before half-time and Harry Maguire also got on the scoresheet to give the home side a 4-0 lead at the break.
Luke Lawless, substitute Ben Martin and Justin Broadley continued the onslaught in the second half, and goalkeeper Matt Stoneham added an eighth via a penalty.
Maguire finished off the rout with his second of the afternoon to give Maitland a 13-1 aggregate win over the two legs.
Magpies coach Graham Law paid tribute to the attitude of his side and said he was surprised at just how well they performed.
“The guys caught me off guard a little bit today – I’d had a few words to them in the shed before the game but I didn’t expect them to come out as they did,” he said.
“Thornton had a little spell in the second half but by and large we dominated the game today, and it was very pleasing to see.”
The win ensured Maitland set up a fourth and final contest with Valentine after they defeated Belmont Swansea 3-1 on Saturday to win 7-1 on aggregate.
Law’s outfit have defeated Valentine twice this season. The second win sealed top spot and promotion into the top flight, but he was adamant his side would need to be at their best.
“We’ve got to raise the bar again,” he said.
“They’re a very good side that has won 21 out of 23 games this season, including the game against us where they really hurt us.
“We’re in a grand final next week and we cannot finish the season like that.”
On Sunday, Law had the luxury of resting Chris Broadley because of card trouble and regular shot-stopper Benn Kelly because of injury, while talismanic striker Ben Martin started from the bench.
Law indicated all three would be back for the decider.
“We were able to move a few people about to get ready for the grand final, but we’ve got no injury worries and will be ready to go next week,” he said.
The first-grade side will be joined by the the under-19 side, with their 1-1 draw against Belmont Swansea enough to see them progress to the grand final with a 5-2 aggregate win.
