The Maitland Magpies were dealt a harsh National Premier League lesson at Cooks Square Park yesterday with Broadmeadow Magic trouncing the hosts 5-1 in round two of the Northern NSW competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maitland rejoined the top flight this season after a 12-year absence and marked their return with a 2-all draw against South Cardiff last week, but the Magpies were brought crashing back to earth on Sunday afternoon by an in-form Magic outfit.
Magpies coach Chris Turner admitted his troops were behind the pace and that was all it took at this level for opposition teams to take full advantage.
“We were off our game and when you play a side like this you just can’t afford that,” Turner said.
“It only takes a little bit for you to get pumped and we got pumped.”
Broadmeadow landed some impressive long range goals and scored either side of the break, including three goals in the second half, in a comprehensive display while the hosts were unable to strike a blow until late in the fixture.
“Some of the goals Broadmeadow scored were absolute crackers,” Turner said.
“Speaking to one of their committee members after the game and he said we never score goals like that, but unfortunately for us they did today.”
Turner said Maitland were in the contest for the opening half an hour, but fell away in the middle stages.
“We looked good, were doing well and I thought we might do some damage along the way,” he said.
“But their second goal was a good one and that hurt us, you could feel the game change there and then.
“The emphasis and belief at half-time was that if we could score the next goal we could get right into the game.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t; they got the next one and it had the reverse effect.”
With the game already gone, the Magpies got on the board via substitute Alex Read, who scored in the closing stages despite having only been on the field for three minutes.
Read finished off a cross from Jye McKellar, who received the ball from Justin Broadly after winning a challenge in midfield.
In other first grade results from yesterday, the Weston Bears enjoyed a 2-1 win in their grand final replay against Lambton, Hamilton beat Edgeworth 2-0, Charlestown City accounted for Adamstown 4-2 and South Cardiff and Newcastle Jets Youth played out a 3-all draw.
The Magpies now host Newcastle Jets Youth at Cooks Square Park on Sunday and Turner said it would be a test of character to bounce back following such a heavy defeat.
LADDER
Broadmeadow 4
Hamilton 4
Weston 4
Edgeworth 3
Lambton 3
Charlestown City 3
South Cardiff 2
Newcastle Jets Youth 1
Adamstown 1
Maitland 1
