Match of the Round
Singleton Strikers 2-1 Kahibah FC
Jackson Cox scored twice to lead Singleton to a 2-1 victory over Kahibah at Howe Park on Saturday, ending the Strikers’ four-match winless run.
Cox opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 20 minutes and added his second 15 minutes later to give Singleton a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Kahibah responded in the second half with a goal from Lewis Hextel but it was not enough as Singleton held on for the win.
Singleton coach Mick Jarvis was pleased with the team's performance and the return of injured players as they turn the heat on front runners Toronto Awaba.
"We're starting to get some lads back so it will help us start to close games out. It was a solid performance across the board," Jarvis said.
He also praised 18-year-old Eligh Hetherington for his good performance in his first grade debut.
Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff admitted that his team was outplayed in the first half.
"We got played off the park first half, just didn't turn up and to be honest should have been down by more," Moncrieff said.
"We spoke about complacency going up there on a Saturday but it didn't make a difference.
"Changed formation at half-time and got a response, dominated the second half and had more than enough chances to get a result but wasn't our day.
"Good luck to them, they battled hard after a month of bad results. We got punished for a poor first half. We need to shake the result off and get prepared for Cessnock next week.”
Cessnock City Hornets 2-4 Belmont Swansea United
Belmont Swansea United bounced back from two losses to overpower Cessnock City Hornets 4-2 at Turner Park on Saturday.
Goals from Blake Roy, Reece Newton, Isaac Watts and Jack Diebold secured a much needed three points to keep BelSwans in the title race.
Belmont Swansea coach Scott Harvey provided insights into the match.
"It was a great response from the squad this week after throwing away points last week at home," Harvey said.
"Another comp game loss was going to be difficult to take and the lads knew that.
"We started strong playing some pretty football but did not capitalise on an early penalty but Joel Nicholson scored a great header off a peach of a ball from Cam Lodge.
"We provided them with a cheap goal and then got back in front from a Reece Newton rocket volley.
"We let them get back in the game and they were physical and disruptive and played some good football against us.
"Scored early in the second half through Isaac Watts capitalising on some good pressure at their end.
"Let them back in the game with five to go but able to get the two-goal advantage back with a well-deserved goal from Jack Diebold.
"Difficult team to play and they never gave up. That's our first win away all season and gives us a massive confidence boost moving forward.”
Toronto Awaba FC 5-1 South Cardiff FC
Toronto Awaba stampeded to a 5-1 win over South Cardiff consolidating their four-point lead at the top of the HIT106.9 Northern League One table.
Noah Fitler opened the scoring for the Stags after just three minutes at Lyall Peacock Field on Sunday, followed by a South Cardiff own goal to make it 2-0 at half-time.
Brendon King pulled a goal back for the Gunners shortly after the break but as the Gunners poured forward the Stags exploited the gaps with Jarrod Purcell scoring in the 73rd and 90th minute and Blake Arthur scoring in the 80th minute.
Coach Jarrad Hiles was thrilled with his team's performance.
"We got off to a flying start with Noah Fitler scoring in the third minute and then we were pretty comfortable going into half-time 2-0 up," Hiles said.
"Southy scored two minutes into the second half but we regained control of the game and finished 5-1.
"Very happy with the effort from all the players who continue to give it their all.”
The Stags lead the competition on 23 points with Singleton Strikers second on 19 and Kahibah on 16.
Wallsend FC 0-3 West Wallsend SFC
A Jake Bower hat-trick sealed a dominant 3-0 victory for West Wallsend over cross-town rivals Wallsend at The Gardens on Sunday.
West Wallsend coach Bailey Cox was delighted with the performance.
"I thought we were pretty dominant for most of the game, even with 10 men we still created a heap of chances and scored all our goals with 10 men which is good see and probably could have scored two or three more if we were more clinical," Cox said.
"The boys showed a lot of ticker and dug in. Anyone watching wouldn't have known we had 10 men for near the whole second half. Super proud of the lads who got up for the derby and got a much needed three points.
"Wallsend had a couple of good chances early and Blake Redman pulled off some good saves to keep it 0-0. Was good to see Bower get himself a hat-trick he honestly deserved it, been working super hard and creates a lot of chances but just hasn't been finding the net lately so I'm stoked for him hopefully plenty more to come.”
Thornton Redbacks had the bye