Match of the Round
Kahibah FC v Belmont Swansea United FC
The match was postponed due to wet weather.
Cessnock City Hornets FC 0-1 Singleton Strikers FC
Singleton Strikers coach Doug West was thrilled to secure a crucial 1-0 win over Cessnock City Hornets on Saturday.
The Strikers struck late to get the three points at Turner Park as they downed the Hornets in the Hunter Valley derby.
The two teams created chances to open the scoring throughout the match, but it was Lachlan Nichol who got the job done.
Nichol got onto the end of a free kick that was lumped into the box and fired a looping header over Blake McDonnell and into the back of the net.
Cessnock pushed hard for an equaliser but the Strikers held them out to return home with the three points.
Singleton’s coach was pleased with the result to help keep their top four hopes alive.
“Cessnock played the first half with a lot of energy and competed well, and we were clunky, took a while to work into the game,” West said.
“At halftime, changes to players and shape saw the comeback of Jackson Cox after a long injury layoff and Jack Clare, which quickly proved telling.
“We created some really sharp and flowing passages involving Jake and Joel Barner, which were unlucky to not result in goals.
“It was a really well-rounded performance across the pitch and I am very happy with the result, which was critical for our season.”
Singleton remains seventh on the nine-team table but they are now just seven points behind fourth-placed Toronto Awaba. Next up for West’s men is a home contest against league leaders Belmont Swansea on Saturday at Howe Park.
Cessnock is in eighth position following Saturday’s loss and fell six points adrift of Singleton. Next up for the Hornets is an away clash against Thornton Redbacks at Thornton Park on Saturday afternoon.
West Wallsend SFC 5-2 Thornton Redbacks FC
West Wallsend SFC coach Bailey Cox was pleased his side could grind out a result after a 5-2 win over Thornton Redbacks on Saturday afternoon.
The Bluebells broke the deadlock at Johnston Park in the 35th minute but it was a Thornton player who found the back of the net as they turned the ball into their own goal.
The score remained 1-0 at half-time before a quickfire Luke Willard double fired the hosts out to a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes of action in the second half.
Thornton hit back with their first goal of the game in the 77th minute when Joel Reddon made the score 3-1.
But the Bluebells restored their three-goal advantage two minutes later when Tyler Rankmore made it a 4-1 lead.
The second own goal of the game saw Westy go ahead 5-1 in stoppage time before a late Pat Wand consolation goal made the final score 5-2.
West Wallsend’s coach liked what he saw from his side.
“I thought he played well in tough conditions, stuck to the game and got the result we needed,” Cox said.
“It was good to score a few goals and create plenty of chances.
“Overall, very happy with the lads. I feel we are starting to get some momentum and we are being consistent week in, week out.”
Westy climbs into third place on the table following the win and are now five points clear of the fifth-placed Thornton Redbacks after just two points separated them going into the match.
The Bluebells’ next challenge is their derby as they meet Wallsend at The Gardens on Sunday, while Thornton will get the chance to bounce back on Wednesday night in a rescheduled round 10 game when they host Toronto Awaba at Thornton Park.
Wallsend FC v Toronto Awaba FC
The match was postponed due to wet weather.
South Cardiff FC had the bye.
