2-0 down... Edgeworth somehow found a way

Edgeworth Eagles produced a stunning second-half fightback to keep their NPL NNSW Championship hopes alive, while Weston Bears prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout as finals football delivered immediately.

Edgeworth found themselves 2-0 down against Belmont Swansea United after Reece Newton and Dean Pettit struck for the visitors, who were playing top-flight finals football for the first time in 40 years.

But the Eagles transformed after the break.

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Tyler Harrison pulled one back before substitute Jarryd Sutherland equalised in the 82nd minute. Just two minutes later, Aaron Niyonkuru completed the remarkable turnaround with a header to seal a 3-2 win.

It ended an impressive campaign for a BelSwans side that emerged as one of the competition’s great improvers, while Edgeworth now travel to face Maitland in an elimination minor semi-final.

Weston Bears also survived, but only after 120 goalless minutes and a nerve-shredding shootout against Maitland.

With neither side able to break through, penalties were required before Mana Iwasaki buried the decisive spot-kick to secure a 5-4 shootout victory for Weston.

The Bears now face Premiers Broadmeadow Magic for a place in the Grand Final, while Maitland and Edgeworth will fight to keep their seasons alive.