Who are Maitland FC? Ahead of our FFA Cup Round of 32 meeting in Maitland, we take a look at our opponents who host the first competitive fixture of our 2019/20 campaign. Kick-off on Wednesday night is 7:30pm.
History of the Maitland Magpies…
Based out of East Maitland at Cooks Square Park, Maitland FC were established in 1961 and in just ten years, gained promotion to Northern NSW Football’s top-flight state league before winning their first and only premiership title to date in 1980, as well as corresponding Grand Final against Highfields Azzuri, 5-1.
In 2002, the side was relegated to the second division and it wasn’t until 2015 that the Magpies progressed back to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) top division stage after winning the NEWFM Northern League One Premiership and Grand Final.
The club qualified for the NPL Northern NSW finals in 2016 but were edged out by the eventual champions Edgeworth Eagles 4-3 on aggregate, and the same happened last year after losing to Broadmeadow Magic 3-2 over last year’s semi-finals legs.
Maitland has had plenty of stars come through their ranks, including Australian football legend Col Curran who made his first-grade debut for the club at the young age of 14 as well as fellow former Socceroo Ray Baartz who also played alongside Curran at a young age. However, the club has always been over-shadowed by that of their Coalfields rival – Weston Bears, who they now share the ‘El Clasicoal’ derby with.
Can’t make it to Maitland?
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? 96.3 @ateamfootball@FFACup, how to tune in: https://t.co/7o29qISm4j #CCMFC #MagicOfTheCup— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 29, 2019
Maitland’s achievements…
NPL Northern NSW (NNSWF First Tier)
- Premiers (1): 1980
- Champions (1): 1980
NNSWF Second Tier
- Premiers (1): 2014
- Champions (1): 2009, 2014
Maitland’s current season form…
This year the Magpies have proven to be one of the strongest sides in the NPL Northern NSW and are one of the names associated with the incredibly tight and exciting premiership race that has developed.
They currently sit in 4th place but are just five points off the league-leaders Edgeworth Eagles, but still have games in hand of the teams above.
Their defence has been one of their anchors so far having only conceded 22 goals, however they’ve only managed to score 31, which is worst of the teams sitting in the top four.
Pitch inspection! ✅
Today Ruon Tongyik entered enemy territory ahead of Wednesday night’s @FFACup meeting with @MaitlandFC. Bring on the #MagicOfTheCup. ? #CCMFC #FFACup pic.twitter.com/3qEp9JPgWn
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 29, 2019
FFA Cup History…
This will be Maitland’s first-ever appearance on the FFA Cup national stage and the first time a team situated in the Hunter Valley has ever progressed to the Round of 32.
Before their triumphant performance against Hamilton Olympic in the final qualification round this season, the Magpies’ best FFA Cup result was that of losing to Edgeworth 1-0, in the same round back in 2017.
Key Players…
There’ll be a load of names to watch out for in the black and white of Maitland including three former Hyundai A-League men – Newcastle Jets club legend Matt Thompson, Nick Cowburn, who only featured in the Hyundai A-League has recently as last season, and Alex Read who played for North Queensland Fury in 2011.
Striker Joel Wood has also been in terrific in 2019, nabbing nine goals in the league and even more in the cup so far including the match-winner in Round 7. Wood has won the NPL NNSW Golden Boot on two occasions back in 2010 and 2011, has also played in Hong Kong and NPL NSW for Sydney Olympic, and was a past member of the Newcastle Jets Asian Champions League squad back in 2009.
In the defensive department, ‘Captain consistent’ Carl Thornton has proven himself to be one of the more solid players in the league and earned himself a spot in the NPL NNSW Team of the Year last season, while his young centre-half Zach Thomas, has been a stand-out this year and has arguably been the best in his position across the competition.
Coast connection? Maitland FC boast two Central Coast juniors in their team who will be eager to standout against their hometown club. Grant Brown is a Budgewoi junior who has found the back of the net on three occasions himself in the NPL this season. Maitland also have former Mariners Foxtel Y-League goal scorer and Kanwal Junior, Sean Pratt on their FFA Cup roster.
Mariners fans will also notice a recognisable name between the sticks, in Matt Trott who made six Hyundai A-League appearances in Yellow & Navy.
.@ziggyG16 ? “Don’t waste your time with Dan, this is the better looking, younger, more talented version.” ?
Our new Scottish Membership Salesman is back with Dan the Membership Man on Tuesday (1pm – 4pm), so call 4353 7200 & Ziggy will sign you up! ✍️ #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/9zevq35Wtd
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 29, 2019
Maitland form guide…
- WIN Lake Macquarie City FC (3-2)
- LOSS Edgeworth FC (3-1)
- WIN Charlestown City Blues FC (0 -3)
- DRAW Broadmeadow Magic FC (2-2)
- WIN (Weston Workers FC 3-1)
Maitland FC squad: 1.Matthew TROTT (GK), 2.Tomas DAVIES, 3.Liam THORNTON, 4.Zac THOMAS, 5.Ryan BROADLEY, 6.Matthew SWAN, 7.Nick COWBURN, 8.Matthew THOMPSON, 9.Andrew SWAN, 10.Ryan CLARKE, 11.Joel WOOD, 12.Sean PRATT, 13.Carl THORNTON, 14.James THOMPSON, 15.Blake RUTHERFORD, 16.Thomas DUGGAN, 17.Alex READ, 19.Louis TOWNSEND, 20. Luke JENNINGS (GK), 25.Grant BROWN, 71.Alex BOZANOVSKI
Match Details
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32
Match: Maitland Football Club vs. Central Coast Mariners
Venue: Maitland Sports Ground, Maitland
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEST)
Match Tickets: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: The match will be live streamed via kayosports.com.au
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #FFACup #MagicOfTheCup & #CCMFC
