Match of the Round
Toronto Awaba FC 3-2 Belmont Swansea United
It was seemingly heading for a draw until super sub Steve Kapotas scored in the last seconds to clinch an epic 3-2 victory for Toronto Awaba over Belmont Swansea United on Saturday.
Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles provided match insights into a contest that ultimately finished on a crescendo for the Stags at Lyall Peacock Field and heartbreak for BelSwans.
"It took both teams time to settle into the game," Hiles said.
"We were wasteful with the ball the first 15 minutes but once we got it down and played, we looked dangerous.
"Zane Winslade beat four down the left side to set up the first goal for Nick Roberts.
"Nick Roberts scored another header from a delightful Bailey Snowden ball. We led 2-0 at the break. Belswans hit back to level 2-2 midway through the second half.
"Both teams had chances to win but it came down to substitute Steve Kapotas to seal the points with three seconds left on the clock.
"Special mention to 16-year-old Kade Howland who made his first-grade debut and had a brilliant game.”
For 24 hours the Stags celebrated their ascendancy to the top of HIT106.9 Northern League One, that was until Singleton scored nine against Wallsend on Sunday.
Kahibah FC 4-2 South Cardiff FC
Goals were predicted and seven goals were scored for the second week in a row at Kahibah Oval as Kahibah defeated South Cardiff 4-2 on Saturday.
Last week Kahibah scored seven unanswered goals, this week was a different story.
After going down in the first half, Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff was delighted how his team bounced back in the second half.
"Super result for us. 2-1 down at half-time after letting them have two sloppy goals," Moncrieff said.
"We didn't panic and stuck to our strengths and scored three second half goals.
"Two for our captain Riley Ferguson and one 30-yard bomb from our midfielder Robbie Turnbull.
"Our impactors today were the difference. Great result in both grades for us.”
It was South Cardiff's first defeat of the season but they went down swinging.
"The boys started off well, making the most of our chances in the first half 2-1 up with a Jamie Subat double," South Cardiff coach Perry Mellon said.
"In the second half we gave away a couple of cheap set pieces which Kahibah punished us with, plus a Robbie Turnbull screamer from 25 out.
"Looking forward to our cup game Tuesday night and the Gallagher Shield games against Wallsend next weekend," Mellon said.
Wallsend FC 1-9 Singleton Strikers
Six goals from Joel Barner powered the Singleton Strikers to an overwhelming 9-1 victory over Wallsend at The Gardens on Sunday.
Goals from Hayden Nicol, Callan Hungerford and Jackson Cox sent the Strikers back to the top of HIT106.9 Northern League One with the eight-goal drubbing.
Unsurprisingly, Singleton coach Mick Jarvis applauded his team's clinical finishing.
"Our focus was continuing to build on recent performances whilst being a bit more proactive and clinical in the final third," Jarvis said.
"Made a slight adjustment to our setup to cater for pitch condition, size and opposition.”
Wallsend's Australia Cup fourth round tie against Zone League One club Bolwarra Lorn JSC on Thursday can't come quick enough for Red Devils coach Michael Gatt.
"[It was] a hard week of not being able to train properly due to ground accessibility thanks to the greyhounds track," Gatt said.
"We spoke about how we wanted to play and after four minutes Matty Williams on return from suspension scored the opening goal.
"But two minutes later we conceded off a poor corner clearance and unfortunately when you’re down on confidence the results reflect that.
"Don't get me wrong, Singo are a quality side but we allowed them to outplay us all over the park and our confidence to play quality football is lacking.
"But we will hopefully get back to training Tuesday night and we will dig ourselves out of this hole we are in and then [Australia] Cup Thursday night.
"So we need to turn this ship and get back to what I know this side has in them result wise.
"I definitely believe in them to get themselves out of this form slump.”
Cessnock City Hornets 1-3 Thornton Redbacks
Thornton Redbacks chalked up their first win of the season defeating Cessnock City Hornets 3-1 at Turner Park on Sunday night.
After relinquishing the lead three times last week in the hot sun, the cooler Sunday evening temperatures suited the Redbacks.
"We started well with Pat Wand scoring within two minutes," Redbacks coach Gary Wand said.
"We a conceded soft goal from a corner that made it 1-1 at half-time.
"Sam Rossi scored from a corner early in the second half then Liam Hardy playing in the number 10 role scored not long after to make it 3-1.
"Cessnock made it hard for us and put plenty of pressure on us the whole game.
"Happy for our first win of the season.”
Cessnock boss Brad Miles was disappointed after last week's promising result.
"Very disappointing after the high of last week's win," Miles said.
"We started poorly and conceded in the first five minutes. We equalised with a Kyle Gillis goal and went to half-time at 1-1.
"But we started the second half just like the first, conceding early and the game got away.
"If you don't do the simple things right you can't win games.
"It's a tight competition and Thornton turned up with the right attitude today and deserved the three points.”
West Wallsend had the bye
