Edgeworth travel to Melbourne to take on Bentleigh Greens on Saturday in their PlayStation 4 NPL Finals Series Elimination Final with the aim to keep alive their incredible season.
In 2016, they have achieved all their goals, in winning back to back minor and major premierships in the NPL Northern NSW, while also becoming the first side from Northern NSW to reach the round of 16 of the FFA Cup.
Their opponents have had an impressive season also, taking out the minor premiership in PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria to book their place in the 2016 Finals Series.
Bentleigh's finals run in PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria was cut short a week before the Grand Final, when they went down 3-1 to the fourth placed Oakleigh Cannons.
They are also enjoying success in this year's Westfield FFA Cup having booked a dream Quarter Final showdown against Melbourne Victory.
While Edgeworth have the experienced Daniel McBreen up front as the only player with A-league experience, centre back Josh Evans is also very impressive at the back.
Both McBreen and Evans will be key to the Eagles chances of making it through this tough match-up, with McBreen scoring two goals in Edgeworth’s Grand Final victory in the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW decider, as well as grabbing their lone goal in their Westfield FFA Cup loss to Western Sydney Wanderers FC. In the big matches this season McBreen and Evans have stood tall and expect the same this weekend.
In comparison to the Eagles, Bentleigh have three players who have played in the A-league in Josh Brindell-South, Luke Pilkington and Ross Archibald. All three have only played a handful of games, for their clubs Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City respectively but will be key men for the home side come Saturday.
Veteran Englishman Jack Webster will also be key for the Greens, with his experience as a youth player Scunthorpe in the UK serving him well in the NPL. Having played over 150 matches for Bentleigh his performance could have a big influence on Saturday’s result.
This match will provide a good assessment of just how close the competitions in Northern NSW and Victoria are. Sides from the regions have met on two occasions in the FFA Cup, back in 2014 when fourth-tier side South Springvale beat South Cardiff on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and last year Heidelberg United beat Broadmeadow Magic 3-1 in Newcastle.
No side from Victoria or Northern NSW have ever made it past the Elimination Finals of the PlayStation 4 NPL Finals, but that will all change on Saturday.
PlayStation 4 NPL 2016 Finals Series - Elimination Final
Bentleigh Greens v Edgeworth Eagles
Saturday 17 September 2016
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne
Kick-Off 3pm AEST
Past 3 starts (most recent first):
Edgeworth – Won Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 (PS4 NPL NNSW Grand Final), Lost Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1 (Westfield FFA Cup), Won Maitland Magpies 2-1 ( PS4 NPL NNSW Semi-Final)
Bentleigh – Lost Oakleigh Cannons 3-1 (PS4 NPL VIC Semi-Final), Won Devonport Strikers 1-0 aet (Westfield FFA Cup), Won Port Melbourne Sharks 4-1 (PS4 NPL VIC)