1st Grade Report

Magic knew that only a win over Lakes would ensure their passage to finals football this year. Our last outing against Lakes saw us come back from a goal down to dominate and win. There were injury concerns going into the match with JB sporting a bad ankle and Maja a bad knee. Lakes fielded their

full strength squad and started the better of the 2 sides winning many of the midfield encounters and pressuring Magic all over the park. Magic were frustrated early and seemed at a loss to compete equally in the early stages of the game but eventually worked their way into the contest. It was Magic who had some good goal scoring chances early but the ball wouldn't find the Lakes net. At 21 minutes Lakes broke though the centre of the park and a neat one/two by Hughes and Woods saw them get in behind our back four to score a nice goal.

There were other opportunities for both sides during the rest of the half but both teams went to the break Lakes 1-0. Magic came out a more determined side in the second half and the early substitution of JB was forced upon Coach Smith. It was a gritty battle early and a floating ball into the Lakes box saw Johnny Maj block the keeper to allow Ibi to get up for the header to level the scores at 1-1.

Magic continued to battle and seemed to get the better of the Lakes side but in a moment of madness Lakes got in behind our defence and slotted home their second of the day. Magic were again chasing the game could not break the Lakes steely reserve. Another late goal sealed Magic's fate handed Lakes the NBN minor premiership.

Congratulations must go out to the Magic boys who turned around what began to look like a relegation season. We won 7 of our last 10 games, the best of any side in the league, so it was a gutsy effort all round. Coaches of the finalist squads will be breathing easier knowing that we missed top four. This year sees a six year coaching reign by Damien Smith end as he moves into a Director of Football role and his leadership as Head Coach will be surely missed. The club under Damien has had many memorable moments in those six years with 2 Minor, 2 Major premierships and a Club

championship.

There will be more to come as this is surely the best club in Northern NSW. Our thanks go out to the players, committee, coaches but mostly to the fans who support us week in week out regardless of the results, without whom we would not have such a fantastic club. We'll pass the banner to the Reserve grade to do us proud for the rest of the season as they go into the finals series so good luck lads.

Thank you to Ian Milne for his 1st grade report and contribution throughout the season.

Reserve Grade Report

Magic reserve grade had a simple formula on Sunday, to beat Lake Macquarie and therefore make the semis. The boys knew the job may be harder than it appeared as their last game against Lakes resulted in a two all draw on a cold unfriendly Wednesday night at the Lake.

Early on the signs were not great as our touch was lacking and the reshuffled line up were adjusting to the wind and positional changes, however a misjudged bounce by Lakes saw Ben Martin score the first of his three goals nodding the ball over the keeper. As the play settled Bures , Northcott and Ellenbacher began to dominate in defence and this enabled our midfield to play the ball forward earlier . Damien Smith revelled in a forward role and in the last twenty minutes of the first half Smith, Dowdell and Martin demolished Lakes with some classy finishing with each scoring after assists from the others to see a scoreline of 4-0 at the break.

It seemed certain that Lakes would try and play long balls in the second half and hope for some luck and the wind to pin Magic into their own half however hard work from Afful, Sweetman, Mooney and O'Toole in the midfield kept the pressure on Lakes and finally a Ben Martin shot was handballed
clear by Lakes to see a red card and penalty. Mooney finished clinically for 5-0.Once again Lakes fouled us in the box and this time Martin finished for his hatrick and 6-0. Afful decided it was his turn and another foul saw an incredible third penalty converted by "Gilla" for his first goal of the season 7-0.

After a number of punishing runs in the first half Ben Sweetman slotted a neat goal to end the scoring at 8-0.

Amazingly Magic did not play their best football but the goals just went in on the day. It has been a great effort by Chris Turner to guide the team to the semis, with plenty of pressure on results over the second round and constant team changes due to injury , promotion and unavailability. The team
now has its destiny in its own hands, but the boys know there is not any team they need fear but three other semi finalists they must respect . Go Magic.

Thank you to Chris Turner for his reserve grade report and contribution this year.