Buoyed by victory against league heavyweights Broadmeadow Magic last weekend, the Weston Bears take on Edgeworth on Saturday night keen to claim their second big scalp in a week.
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The injection of experience in the form of Josh Maguire up front and Nathan Morris at the back has transformed the Bears and given the talented young squad belief they can compete with and beat the competition’s best.
They will need it in one of the toughest NPL assignments against the Eagles under lights at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
“There are no easy games in this competition, but Edgeworth at home is about as tough as it gets,” Bears coach Steve Piggott said.
“If we can defend well and take our chances we will be competitive. If we get a point it will be great at this stage of our development.
“But who knows we were big underdogs against Magic last week.”
You have to go back almost three years since Weston last beat Edgeworth, and back further still to 2013 to find the last time the Bears beat the Eagles at Jack McLaughlan Oval – that day, it was on penalties in the elimination final.
Two wins this season for the Bears already doubles their tally from last season and equals their total across the past two seasons.
Weston Bears recruit Josh Maguire showed his importance to his new team in two special moments which sealed an upset 2-1 win against competition heavyweight Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday.
Maguire set up the equaliser for Tega Adjeke with a ball with bisected two Magic defenders and opened the way for the exciting striker to smash a 15-metre shot past Paul Bitz in a one-on-one contest.
Right-footed Maguire then sealed the game off his left foot.
Maguire was left unmarked outside the area, and with some significant space around him – which Chris Hurley recognised.
From 20 metres out, Maguire used his left foot to send a rocket above the outstretched arms of Bitz and score his first goal in Weston colours.
While singing the praises of his Maguire’s game, Weston coach Steve Piggott says Maguire and fellow experience duo Nathan Morris and Kew Jaliens’ contribution extends way beyond the pitch.
“They are all quality players and have no ego attached. They are enjoying working with and encouraging their young teammates at training and in the rooms and show the way on the field,” he said.
“The young blokes are gaining so much confidence from having them around. They now know they can achieve what we have set out to do.
“That calmness and experience is rubbing off. Going down a goal in the opening minutes and then come back and beat a team like Broadmeadow is a fantastic effort.
“To be able to defend our lead for a half was tremendous.”
It was the first time the Bears had beaten the Magic at Rockwell Automation Park since 2014 and it took a huge amount of courage and belief.
Magic’s James Virgili scored his sixth goal of the season to open proceedings.
Weston seized on a mistake at the back shortly after to level the scores through Adjeke.
Adjeke, who scored 20 goals for Belswans in the NEWFM Northern League One last season, made no mistake.
Maguire’s special effort followed to give the Bears a lead they did not relinquish..
The second half was a wave of Magic attacks, as they attempted to break down a Weston defence which was happy to sit men behind the ball and defend their lead.
Their best chances came deep in the half from a pair of free kicks just minutes from time. Kane Runge proved himself up to the task, though, with Weston hanging on for their second win of the season.
