Match of the Round
Dudley Redhead United v Newcastle Croatia
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Cessnock City Hornets 3-2 West Wallsend SFC
Cessnock City Hornets head coach Joshua Maguire praised his side's late energy and fighting spirit as the Hornets produced another dramatic 90th-minute winner to defeat West Wallsend SFC 3-2 at Turner Park on Saturday afternoon, securing their third consecutive victory.
Being the only game played in round 15, while other teams will have a game in hand over Cessnock, the result puts them within just one point of the top four and back in the race for a promotion play-off spot.
It is the second week in a row Cessnock have scored a decisive goal in the dying stages, a remarkable turnaround for a side that had lost eight games in a row just weeks ago.
Cessnock started the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded in the sixth minute when Mitchell Brown opened the scoring after the Hornets looked to isolate players one-on-one in the attacking third.
West Wallsend responded well, drawing level through Brody Taylor in the 18th minute from a set piece.
Brown struck again in the 32nd minute as he stayed alert to tap home the keeper's parry to restore Cessnock's lead and send the sides into the break with the Hornets in front at 2-1.
West Wallsend drew level for a second time through Jarrod Purcell in the 78th minute, threatening to deny Cessnock the points, with the visitors delivering numerous crosses that had the Hornets on the back foot.
Inspired by a big old boys day crowd, fresh legs off the bench gave Cessnock an overload in the final stages, and Adam Cawley had the final say, slotting home in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
Maguire said the performance reflected the character his side has shown in recent weeks.
"This club at home has the ability to get a late goal and find a way to hurt teams with late energy," Maguire said.
Maguire acknowledged it wasn't a perfect performance, but said the result was all that mattered at this stage of the season.
"It was pretty even with a lot of bite from both teams and hats off to Westy for a good performance coming from behind twice," Maguire said.
"In the second half we invited them onto us with turnovers and sitting deep, which allowed them to deliver numerous crosses, and we had to make some outstanding saves and some terrific blocks to keep them out."
Maguire also noted that the mood within the camp is the best it has been all season as the Hornets set their sights on a late push for the play-offs.
"I'm really pleased with the boys' performances in the last couple of games, and they're now playing freely and chasing teams down to make the play-offs," Maguire said.
"We need other results to go our way, but we are in form and looking to be a late contender."
The win moves Cessnock above West Wallsend on the table and to within just one point of the top four, an impressive turn of fortunes for a side that was staring down a relegation battle not long ago.
The teams above them do hold a game in hand, but the form Cessnock are showing makes them a new threat in the race for a promotion play-off spot.
For West Wallsend, it is a familiar story, with inconsistent performances continuing to be their downfall in their push for the top four.
Despite the result, West Wallsend showed a lot of fight, coming from behind twice before ultimately being denied in the final minute.
They remain just three points behind the top four and will believe they are still very much in the race for a promotion play-off spot.
They will, however, know that with games running out, and the teams above them holding a game in hand, they cannot afford many more results like this one.
West Wallsend will look to bounce back quickly when they host Toronto Awaba FC on Sunday, aiming to keep their promotion play-off hopes alive.
As for Cessnock, they will travel away to face Wallsend FC on Sunday in another tough test of their recent form.
Lake Macquarie City FC v Singleton Strikers
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
South Cardiff FC v Wallsend FC
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
New Lambton FC v Toronto Awaba FC
This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.