Sunday’s local football derby has added spice with the Maitland Magpies needing three points to secure a finals spot and the Weston Bears eager to farewell coach Trevor Morris a winner.
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Morris, who returned for last season following the sacking of Piggott, advised the club this week to look for a replacement after what he described as a “season from hell”.
The Magpies blew maximum points against Newcastle Jets Youth at Cooks Square Park on Wednesday night when a rush of blood by Brock Oakley led to an equalising penalty after Maitland had been firmly in control and the back four looked unlikely to be breached.
Oakley was given a yellow card when he wrestled his opponent in the penalty area. The Jets equalised from the spot and held out for a draw.
It was particularly disappointing for Oakley as he had been a valuable contributor. but Magpies assistant coach Reece Thompson said the team should have not have left the game in the balance.
“It’s disappointing, but we really only have ourselves to blame as we created plenty of opportunities but just couldn’t finish them off,” Thompson said.
“Matt Thompson and Ryan Broadley were terrific in the midfield creating plenty of pressure on the Jets and creating plenty of turnovers.
“The whole team played well, we just couldn’t finish it off.”
With only one point in the bag from the game, said a win in the derby was vital as his team chases four points from their remaining three games to ensure finals action for the first time since promotion in 2015.
Striker Ben Martin put the Magpies on the board in the first half after a clever pass at the end of another explosive run by Matt Comerford.
Comerford was replaced at half-time as a precaution when he felt a twinge in his hamstring. His replacement Jye McKellar picked up the tempo and maintained the pressure with hard-running on the left wing.
The Bears will be looking to send Morris out a winner and create momentum for next season.
“I’ve told the club it’s in their best interests to look for someone else,” Morris said of his decision to step down.
“They need someone who can attract players. I don’t know why, whether it’s the money getting thrown around the league now and that Weston are not prepared to do that, but I talked to a lot of players for this season but they didn’t want to come.”
