NPL NNSW Round 8 Wrap: Top Two March On, Valentine Stun New Lambton Late

James Stuart

The NPL Northern NSW ladder is starting to take shape after a dramatic Matchday 8 that saw late winners, red cards, and statement performances across the grounds.

Broadmeadow Magic remain top after surviving a scare with ten men, but the pressure is firmly on as Edgeworth Eagles continue their ruthless march, boasting the league’s best attack and defence.

Magic Survive With Ten

Broadmeadow Magic kept their place at the summit with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Weston, despite being reduced to ten men just before halftime. Jared Baker’s second yellow on the cusp of the break could’ve turned the tide, but the league leaders dug deep to hold off a Weston side that had won four on the bounce. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Weston still have a game in hand, against Lambton Jaffas.

Eagles Fly On

Edgeworth notched their fifth straight win, and have outscored their opponents 21-3 over that stretch. A clinical 2-0 victory over Cooks Hill keeps their unbeaten record intact. They still sit just a point behind Magic and are looking like genuine title contenders. With just four goals conceded and a league-best 23 scored, they’re setting the standard at both ends of the park.

Valentine Steal it at the Death

The most dramatic win of the round belonged to Valentine, who snatched a 3-2 win over New Lambton in wild fashion.

Josh Winiarczyk opened the scoring just before halftime for Valentine, but two quick goals from Kent Harrison - one a penalty - flipped the match in New Lambton’s favour. But the game turned again late: Jagger Wholert saw red in the 88th minute, and Valentine converted the penalty through Dean Pettit. Toby Jensen completed the comeback with a winner in the 93rd.

New Lambton remain winless, and heartbreak is becoming a habit.

Bradbery Brace Helps Olympic Dispatch Rosebud Newcastle Olympic made light work of Adamstown Rosebud in a 4-0 rout. Kale Bradbery led the way with a brace, including a penalty, as Olympic leapfrogged Charlestown into third.

Maitland Dig Deep Away

The Magpies pulled off an important away win, edging Charlestown Azzurri 2-1 to keep their season alive. With goals hard to come by lately, Maitland will take heart from this performance, though they sit just one point above the relegation playoff spot. Another Jaffas Stalemate

Lambton Jaffas shared the points for the fourth time this season, drawing 1-1 with Belmont Swansea. Jaffas continue to be a paradox: their defensive record is the second best in the league, having conceded just eight. But they've scored only four, the worst in the competition. Until they find firepower, the lower table is likely their ceiling.

League Table Snapshot

Broadmeadow (21 points) remain on top, but unbeaten Edgeworth (20) are breathing down their necks. Newcastle Olympic and Charlestown sit level on 14, while Weston (with a game in hand) round out the finals places with 13.

At the other end, New Lambton’s solitary point keeps them rooted to the bottom, while the Jaffas and Belswans sit nervously just above the drop.