Edgeworth will play Sydney United 58 away from home in the final of the NPL Finals Series this weekend after beating Perth SC 1-0 in Western Australia on Saturday night.
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A goal in the 51st minute from Daniel McBreen settled the contest at Dorrien Gardens as captain and man of the match Josh Evans led another strong defensive effort from the visitors.
Northern NSW NPL champions Edgeworth beat Victorian titleholders Bentleigh Greens 3-1 in the quarter-finals last weekend.
The Eagles, who also beat 2015 Queensland premiers Northern Fury 3-0 in the FFA Cup, have bested three state champions on the road this season, scoring seven goals to one in the process. And they will need to win away from home again to claim the national crown after Sydney United beat Brisbane Strikers 2-1 in the other semi-final at Edensor Park on Sunday.
The venue for the final is decided on a scoring system based on winning margins and yellow cards. Sydney United will have played all three of their NPL Finals Series games at home.
If the Eagles win this weekend – the date of the game has not been decided – they will qualify automatically for next year’s FFA Cup round of 32, opening up a place for a third Northern NSW side in the national knockout.
“No one can say we won’t deserve it,” Eagles president Warren Mills said after flying in to Sydney on Sunday. “It’s ground-breaking territory for Northern NSW football and Edgeworth football club.”
Mills said Edgeworth’s rise to the final of the national club competition demonstrated that the “gap is closing” between football in Newcastle and in the major cities.
He said the win was all the more impressive given the travel involved.
“To go to Perth, when the professional teams go over there and struggle with the travel, to go there and win one-nil. Six of the boys had to come on the late flight because they had to work. They got in at midnight NSW time Friday night.”
McBreen’s goal came from a floated diagonal pass from right back Ayden Brice on the halfway line. The former Mariners marksman controlled the ball on the run and lashed home a left shot into the bottom right corner.
“The missus isn’t going to be happy,” McBreen said after the whistle. “I’m supposed to be on a family holiday in Fiji, so I might have to postpone that for a few days, but it’s a great achievement for the club.”
Brice almost opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes when he stormed forward into space and almost slotted a side-foot shot inside the far post.
Brody Taylor went even closer moments later with a deft chip on the turn from 25 metres that hit the bar.
Gustavo Catarcione returned serve on 16 minutes when his dipping volley hit the base of the right post, then just before half-time Perth goalkeeper Francis Soale blocked Keanu Moore then McBreen from the rebound.
Substitute Francesco Furfaro almost grabbed a late equaliser but hit the left post from 25 metres.
Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe watched the game and was reportedly impressed with some of Edgeworth’s young players.
The NPL final will be streamed live online by Bar TV.
