Charlestown coach Shane Pryce was “absolutely filthy”, while Lake Macquarie counterpart Anthony Richards was “more than happy with the point” after a 1-1 round-three Northern NSW NPL draw at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday.
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On a soft pitch and in steamy conditions, Charlestown led 1-0 in the ninth minute when veteran Josh Maguire struck a stunning long-range strike. Lake Macquarie hit back in the 15th minute when Justin Broadley caught goalkeeper Nathan Archbold out at the far post with a curling free kick from wide on the left.
Lake Macquarie’s Tom Sparre had a shot blocked in the 12th minute and the Blues’ Andy Klijn hit the crossbar just after the equaliser but chances dried up for the rest of the half.
Sam Walker was dangerous for Lakes, heading a chance over the crossbar in the 54th minute and forcing Archbold to make a great save in the 72nd but Charlestown had the lion’s share of opportunities. Matt Tull (49th minute), Rene Ferguson (76th) and Jarrad Ross (85th) were all wide with great chances. Ferguson also had a penalty call turned down in injury time.
Richards said his side hung on for the last 20 minutes. Pryce agreed his side finished the stronger but said the result stemmed “from the first-half platform, which was one of the most atrocious efforts I’ve seen from guys in a sky blue shirt.”
“We had four or five players put their hands up today and the rest need to have a good look at their commitment and attitude because it was well below par,” Pryce said.
“There will be changes. I’ll play young kids because you get players in who are experienced and played many games at this level, and they dish that up.”
The draw came after a 2-1 loss to Valentine for Charlestown, while Lakes followed a 2-2 result with Weston.
“We’re still undefeated and I’m more than happy with the point,” Richards said. “As long as they keep working hard, they’ll keep getting better. I just want to improve each week and I thought we were better than the last game.”
At Weston Park on Sunday, Joel Griffiths scored his first goal for the Lambton Jaffas but Bears defender-turned-striker Nick Thompson was the difference in a 2-2 draw.
James Thompson was brought down and Nick Thompson converted the penalty in the sixth minute. Griffiths scored with a close-range header in the 32nd. A Nick Thompson ball in the 61st was deflected in for 2-1 to the Bears but Pat Brown, who scored twice in a 3-2 win over Hamilton, saved the Jaffas again. Brown chipped the goalkeeper from distance in the 66th.
