The 2019 premiers, with just two goals in their previous four games, were facing another poor return at Adamstown Oval in round eight.

Adamstown, second last on four points, led in the 35^th minute through a strike off the woodwork from Liam Ryan after a back-heeled give-and-go with Tallan Martin.

The Magpies, beaten 4-0 at Olympic on Wednesday night, were having another frustrating day in front of goals until Thompson equalised in the 70th minute.

Off a short free kick, Thompson beat a defender before unleashing a powerful shot through the keeper's grasp. Crowley scored five minutes later when he pounced on a loose ball, beat a defender, then curved a strike into the top corner.

The win took Maitland to third on 13 points, ahead of Weston on goals.

"We couldn't find the net," a relieved Bolch said.

"We had plenty of opportunities but we are finding it hard to break teams down. They sit nine or 10 behind the ball and put up a couple of blocks, and we are pushing that final pass, making the wrong run or the service into the box isn't good enough.

"It looked like it again today and it took two quality strikes to get the three points."

Maitland's depth was dented last week when they parted ways with Nick Cowburn, but the club could soon welcome back Clarke, who was one of their best in attack last year. He went back to lower divisions but is set to make an NPL cameo.

The Magpies had Zach Thomas, Sam Webb and Mat Swan missing on Sunday.

"We had a few out and we've got a smaller squad than last year," Bolch said. "It makes it difficult that we haven't got that depth, but we hit the post twice and had shots today. We've just got to be better in the front third."

At Weston Park, a 10-man Bears climbed to fourth spot with a dramatic 3-2 win over second-placed Broadmeadow (16 points).

After coming from behind with two goals early in the second half, Weston lost Robbie Turnbull, in his 250th top-grade game for the club, on 70 minutes. Turnbull copped two bookings, the second for dissent.

Weston struck first when Zac Sneddon started then finished an attack in the sixth minute. Magic hit back in the 16^th with a sensational 20-metre strike from Mitch Rooke. The midfielder turned provider in the 37^th with a long ball to James Virgili, who finished one-on-one.

Aron Niyonkuru leveled for Weston from a goalmouth scramble in the 48^th minute and Cooper Buswell scored with a header of a Nathan Morris free kick in the 55^th.

Charlestown moved equal with Lambton Jaffas on 10 points, a point outside the top five, with a 2-0 win over them at Lisle Carr Oval.

Regan Lundy scored with a follow-up shot at a penalty in the 48^th minute after Ben Kennedy looked to have made a double save. However, officials quickly ruled the ball had crossed the line second time around. Will McFarlane gave away the penalty with a foul. Riley Smith made it 2-0 with a strike in the 53^rd minute.

Edgeworth (24 points) downed Olympic (11) 2-0 at Jack McLaughlan Oval to keep their perfect season intact. Will Bower scored off a Josh Rose cross in the 54^th minute and Kristian Brymora hit a powerful strike in the top corner in the 89^th.

At Macquarie Field, Valentine beat a 10-man Lake Macquarie 1-0 to jump to 10 points. Josh Murray converted a penalty in the 46^th minute after a handball. Roosters captain Corey Fletcher earned a second yellow card for a foul in the 66^th.

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