HIT106.9 Northern League One Round 15 Review: BelSwans unable to silence league leaders Toronto
Match of the Round
Belmont Swansea 0-2 Toronto Stags
Belmont Swansea were unable to get the result over league leaders Toronto in a 0-2 defeat on Saturday.
Ethan Wilson provided the Toronto Stags with a dream start as he found the back of the net after just 10 minutes.
Coach Jarrad Hiles was full of praise for Wilson's outstanding performance.
"Ethan got us off to a great start, he was enormous today. Absolutely everywhere and gave 100%,” Hiles said.
“The boys played well, I thought we controlled the first half and had the better of the chances."
With the scoreline at 1-0 on halftime, Hiles inspired his players, to dig deep.
"I just asked the boys to keep competing and win their individual battles. Work as hard as you can to do that and we take the points here,” Hiles said.
“They came out in the second half and had a few opportunities, but the boys dug in deep."
The second half saw Belmont Swansea mounting a few attacking threats, but wing-back Harrison Reif delivered the final blow, extending the lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute for the Stags.
Coach Hiles attributed the triumph to the collective work ethic by the entire squad.
"I think it was great to see the entire squad dig deep today. We had 22 players across both grades and one player who played on one leg,” Hiles said.
“The boys dug in for each other for the entire squad and that's what I love to see.”
The victory means Toronto maintain their four-point lead at the top of the table and BelSwans are sitting in fifth.
Singleton Strikers 2-0 Wallsend
The Singleton Strikers continue their hunt for the top of the table, after defeating Wallsend 2-0 at Howe Park on Saturday.
The league's leading goal scorer, Joel Barner, showcased his goal prowess as he combined seamlessly with Jack Clare to give Singleton an early advantage after just 17 minutes.
It was Marlow Court-Kriesch who sealed the deal for Singleton, slotting in a crucial goal to extend their lead.
The Strikers’ goalkeeper, Corey Cleaver, had an impeccable performance, ensuring another clean sheet for the Strikers.
Reflecting on the match, Singleton's coach, Mick Jarvis, praised his team's efforts while acknowledging the room for improvement in the attacking third.
"Marlow Court-Kriesch sealed it with our second in the second half, Corey Cleaver strong again in goals with another clean sheet," said Jarvis.
Jarvis emphasised the Strikers' commendable work rate whilst highlighting the room for improvement in front of goal.
"We created a plethora of chances but weren't as clinical in the final third as we need to be. Brilliant work rate across the park," Jarvis said.
This is Wallsend’s fourth game without a win, with the team’s hopes at finals diminishing with the team sitting seventh on the table.
Thornton Redbacks 3-1 Cessnock City Hornets
The Thornton Redbacks returned to their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over the Cessnock City Hornets at Thornton Park on Saturday.
The Redback’s drought was broken in the second half with goals from Kyle Williams, Liam Hardy, and Coby Jenkinson, sparking hope for an upward climb in the table.
Redback’s coach Nima Nikfarjam praised goalkeeper Oliver Mather for his standout performance, making multiple crucial saves.
"We were lucky that our goalkeeper had a great day and saved a few clear chances, keeping us in the game with only a 0-1 deficit at halftime,” Nikfarjam said.
The Redbacks made three early first-half substitutions due to injuries, these replacement players had a significant impact on the game, altering the team's energy and allowing them to play a more cohesive brand of football, resulting in three well-deserved goals.
"The replacement players changed the momentum, and we started to play some football and scored three goals,” Nikfarjam said.
The Redbacks have now leapfrogged the Hornets to eighth place on the table and marks a turning point for the side, reinvigorating their confidence and providing a solid foundation for future matches.
South Cardiff 0-2 Kahibah
Kahibah maintained their form, defeating South Cardiff 2-0 at Ulinga Oval.
With the competition intensifying, Kahibah understands the importance of delivering their best football to secure a crucial three points in such a tightly contested race.
Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance.
"We played our best 90 minutes in quite a few weeks and I believe we deserved the three points today, even though our goals came from a penalty and an own goal,” Moncrieff said.
Moncrieff praised his team's overall performance, highlighting the exceptional play of the midfield.
"We didn't have a single poor player today, but our midfield trio of Jake Kepreotes, Jenson Hunt, and Robbie Turnbull stood out by dominating the game and winning a lot of possession,” Moncrieff said.
Looking ahead, Kahibah has been eagerly awaiting the fixture against Toronto since their defeat in the first round, where the Stags displayed their superiority. Moncrieff added,
"We play the high-flying Stags next Sunday in a game we have been looking forward to since they schooled us in the first round,” Moncrieff said.