Match of the Round
Kahibah FC v South Cardiff FC
The match was postponed due to wet weather.
Singleton Strikers FC 0-3 Belmont Swansea United FC
Belmont Swansea United coach Mick Stafford was thrilled for his side to secure their 14th win of the season when they took down Singleton Strikers 3-0 away from home at Howe Park on Saturday afternoon.
The league leaders opened their account in the sixth minute when Adam Blunden whipped a free kick from just inside Singleton territory into the 18-yard box and Cameron Lodge headed it into the bottom left corner after getting free with a classy run.
The score remained 1-0 at the half-time break and before the competition’s leading goal-scorer Kane Woolston netted his 23rd goal of the season in the 65th minute.
His initial shot was saved by the Strikers’ keeper Jackson Bartlett after the striker charged onto an Ian Matthews cross and unleashed a powerful header, but the rebound fell straight to him and he volleyed it home.
The visitors then won a penalty in the 79th minute and Reece Newton made no mistake as he fired a powerful strike into the bottom left corner past Bartlett, who dived the right way but could not keep the shot out.
That made the score 3-0, which was the way it remained at full-time to the delight of Stafford.
“It was another great result and an important three points at a very hard place to play,” Stafford said.
“I think we managed the game very well. A few steady heads in there helped, and there were a few guys stepping up from reserve grade that made an impact, which was positive.
“It was a good workman-like performance and I’m very impressed with another clean sheet.
“Singleton set up in two well-organised blocks, so we had to find space in behind on the transition. Credit to the players, they exploited that space well and were good enough to get the job done.”
BelSwans’ win saw them sweep the Strikers in 2024 and they will be looking to do the same to South Cardiff on Saturday night when they meet the Gunners at Ulinga Oval. They will also hope to extend their lead at the top of the table, which now stands at 16 points.
Singleton will return to Howe Park on Saturday afternoon when they host Thornton Redbacks,
Thornton Redbacks 2-3 Cessnock City Hornets FC
Cessnock City Hornets scored their fifth win of the season on Saturday when they edged out Thornton Redbacks 3-2 away from home at Thornton Park.
Cessnock’s key striker and leading goal-scorer Zac Kronholm missed the side’s 1-0 loss against Singleton a week earlier but marked his return in style when he opened the scoring in the seventh minute against the Redbacks with his 11th goal of the campaign.
Mamadou Diop equalised for the hosts on the 15-minute mark but Cessnock’s reply was swift as Curtis Johnson restored their lead with a 16th-minute strike that made the score 2-1.
Jacob Bender then extended the Hornets’ lead in the 40th minute and they went into half-time ahead 3-1.
Thornton ensured it would be a thrilling finish when their leading goal-scorer Jack Wetney netted his eighth of the season in the 66th minute, but Cessnock held on to win 3-2 and pick up the three points.
For the Hornets, the win ended a four-game losing streak. They remain in eighth spot and are now 10 points outside the top four.
They are away again this weekend as they head to The Gardens on Sunday to challenge Wallsend.
The loss was Thornton’s fifth in a row and was a major blow for their top four hopes.
The Redbacks remain in fifth position but are five points behind fourth-placed West Wallsend who have two games in hand. Thornton’s next match is this Saturday at Howe Oval where they will travel to take on Singleton.
Wallsend FC v West Wallsend SFC
The match was postponed due to wet weather.
Toronto Awaba FC had the bye.