The Newcastle Jets youth team will take on the Edgeworth Eagles in a sudden-death elimination semi-final on Saturday.
The Newcastle Jets youth team will take on the Edgeworth Eagles in a NBN State League sudden-death elimination semi-final at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle notched a 4-1 victory when the two sides last met in round 16, however Jets coach Clayton Zane he was not expecting such a one-sided score line this time around.
“Edgeworth are the form team in the competition at the moment,” Zane said.
“From what I hear, in the last couple of games in particular they-ve really found some good form.
“It-s one win apiece between us over the course of the season, so I think we-re pretty evenly matched and it-s going to be a great game.”
The Eagles will be high on confidence after they secured a convincing 6-2 win over Charlestown in the first round of the finals series last week.
Zane said the Jets backline would have to be on their toes against a potent Edgeworth attack.
“I think we need to be really sound at the back, because Edgeworth put six goals past Charlestown last weekend,” Zane said.
“We always create chances, so it-s up to our front three or four players to make sure we convert those.”
With regular goalkeeper Jack Duncan suspended, Zane said he was confident back-up goalie James Fogarty will have fully recovered from a finger injury in time to take his place between the posts.
Zane was also hopeful his side will be bolstered by a number of members of the Jets- first team squad.
“At the moment James has received clearance from the doctor and has been declared fit to play,” Zane said.
“We-ll give him as much time as possible and it-ll just depend on whether he gets through that last training session before the match OK.
“We-re also hoping to get some of the first team players back, because any one of them we can get will give us that little bit of an advantage.”
Match details:
NBN State League Elimination Final
Newcastle Jets v Edgeworth Eagles
Jack McLaughlan Oval, Edgeworth
Saturday, August 25
Kick-off 3pm
