29/08/2026
The Weston Bears have booked their spot in the NPL Menβs Northern NSW decider after a thrilling 3-0 extra-time win over minor premiers Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park today.
It is the first time the Bears have reached the Grand Final since 2014, when they lost 2-0 to the Lambton Jaffas.
Both teams remained scoreless at the end of a torrid 90 minutes, sending the final into extra time.
The visitors jumped out of the blocks and caused the home side all manner of trouble, dominating possession and creating the better of the chances.
Magic looked flat in the opening 45 minutes and spent large parts of the opening 20 defending deep inside their own half.
Golden Boot winner Luis Lara looked like Magicβs most likely outlet, but he struggled to get the service he normally receives thanks to a stifling Weston defence.
Westonβs midfield controlled the tempo through Connor Evans and Nelson King, while Blake Archbold and Englishman Luke McCormick were giving Magic all sorts of headaches, particularly McCormick on the left edge.
The second half was a much more end-to-end affair, with both sides enjoying periods of control.
Archbold was initially awarded a penalty after appearing to be fouled at the top of the box in the 66th minute.
But after consulting with his assistant, the referee overturned the decision and instead showed Archbold a yellow card for simulation.
Replays showed it was the right call.
The 82nd minute produced another moment of controversy.
James Cresnar played a long ball over the top of the Weston defence, finding Lara free at the top of the 18-yard box.
The striker took his chance, calmly slotting the ball past a diving Gerard Roebuck.
As Lara wheeled away to his left to celebrate, Westonβs players immediately protested with the officials.
Their appeals were heard, with the assistant referee eventually raising his flag and the goal ruled out.
That was the last clear chance for either side in regulation and, for the second week in a row, Weston were heading to extra time.
In the 98th minute, the deadlock was finally broken.
Weston skipper Chris Hurley whipped in a corner that bounced awkwardly in front of Magic keeper Daniel Axford and struck him in the chest.
The ball fell perfectly for King, who reacted quickest and volleyed it into the back of the net to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
With a place in the Grand Final slipping away, Magic pushed forward looking for an equaliser, but it was Weston who struck again.
Chris Hatfield made it 2-0 in the 117th minute after beating Jeremy Wilson in a one-on-one contest before calmly slotting the ball past Axford from close range.
Former Magician Ryan Ensor then put the icing on the cake in spectacular fashion.
With Axford well off his line, Ensor launched an audacious long-range effort from inside his own half, sending the ball over the scrambling Magic keeper and into the net to make it 3-0.
It capped a memorable afternoon for the Bears, who are now just one victory away from their first NPL Northern NSW Championship since 2010.
Weston advance directly to the Grand Final, while Magic will get another opportunity to keep their season alive.
The minor premiers will host the winner of tomorrowβs clash between Maitland and Edgeworth at Cooks Square Park, with the victor of that match earning the right to face Weston in the decider.
