Match of the Round
Belmont Swansea United 1-1 Kahibah FC
Reigning champions Belmont Swansea United shared the points with Kahibah in a 1-1 draw in their season opener on Saturday.
BelSwans striker Cameron Lodge scored from a free kick after 80 minutes but the celebrations were cut short when Kahibah equalised two minutes later.
BelSwans coach Joshua Rufo lamented missed opportunities at Blacksmiths Oval.
“I thought the players played well and dominated the game however we lacked composure in the final third,” Rufo said.
“On another day we could have scored five or six goals, maybe more. I can only remember the opposition having one shot and one attack into the box from a set piece.
“It was disappointing to concede off their only effort which was very scrappy.”
Rufo saw green shoots of optimism as a swag of new recruits made their Northern League One debut.
“We had five players making their first grade debut. Overall lots of positives, now we move onto the next game,” Rufo said.
“Man of match was our goalkeeper Tyler Bartley who made his first grade debut and our right back Blayke Reeves moved up and down the wing like Cafu.”
On a bumpy pitch Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff said his side was unable to implement its brand of passing football.
“The opening game was a good test for us,” Moncrieff said.
“Not overly happy with how we played, we've got better games in us. Trying to play football on that pitch and get our rhythm was difficult.
“Belswans scored late in the second half from a good free kick and we equalised a few minutes later. Happy to share the points in the first match against last year’s champions.”
Moncrieff also reflected on the positives.
“There were a number of positives. Liam Whitehead had a great game at right back,” Moncrieff said.
“Robbie Turnbull was everywhere up front. So a number of positives. It’s another match under the belt and I know we will improve.
“We will have one training session during the week before we play West Wallsend on Friday night.”
Thornton Redbacks FC 0-5 South Cardiff FC
South Cardiff’s clinical finishing put the rest of Northern League One on notice after scoring five unanswered goals past the Thornton Redbacks on Friday night.
A brace for Sam Modderno and goals from Jack Wetney, Justin Banek and Tom Walker sealed the points for the Gunners at Pasadena Oval.
South Cardiff coach Perry Mellon reflected on a night where everything they touched turned to gold.
“It was one of those nights where it all came together and we were pretty clinical in front of goal,” Mellon said.
“We've had a big pre-season and the players were fired up for round one.
“We didn't have too many other chances but we converted the chances we created. That's football.
“Pasadena Oval is one of the smallest grounds in Newcastle. The match started quite cagey.
“It took both sides five or 10 minutes to get into the game but once we found our rhythm I thought we dominated for large parts of it.
“We opened the scoring from a throw-in, Jamie Subat flicked it on at the front post and we won the second ball and Jack Whitney scored a header inside the box.”
An early contender for goal of the season from Sam Modderno doubled the score.
“From a short corner, Sam Modderno hit a worldie. He was 10 metres outside of the box and hit it first time into the top corner,” Mellon said.
“A fantastic strike from the outside of the boot. No goalkeeper was going to save that.
“Thornton came out fired up in the second half and started chasing the game. We brought on a couple of our young lads and the game swung back in our favour.
“Justin Banek and Lincoln Davies played their youth football at the club and made excellent first grade debuts.
“Tommy Walker had a good game and scored our last goal with a run through the midfield.
“Sam Modderno capped off an impressive performance with an assist and a second goal, he was really good on his debut for the club.
“Ryan Bercli played right back in the first half and then had to move over to the left in the second half. Another player on debut, he was outstanding blocking passes and winning possession.
“We have a bye in round two so we’re finishing round one with a win and now resting a few sore bodies and recovering from a few niggling injuries from a big pre-season, which is ideal for us.
“We will rest and get back into it on Thursday and get ready for Toronto the following week.”
Redbacks coach Gary Wand said South Cardiff were a team to look out for this season.
“We were pretty undercooked and they were very ready,” Wand said.
“They're a good side with new signings. I didn't think we went too bad, the difference was the last 10 or 15 minutes of each half. That was always going to be tough on us.
“Their second goal was an unbelievable strike, outside of his right foot and just smashed it from way out, credit where it is due.
“We missed a penalty and had a few players missing who were defensive players which made a difference.
“But take nothing away from Southy. They were well prepared with several trial matches under their belt.
“18-year-old Isaac Hampton did extremely well for us. We conceded three goals in the last 15 minutes and then we played eight minutes with only 10 players because one of our guys pulled a hamstring and we had already made our changes. It was one of those nights.”
Toronto Awaba FC 2-1 West Wallsend SFC
The boys in gold and blue were singing loud and proud after a tough 2-1 win over West Wallsend on Saturday.
A brace from Jarrod Purcell was the difference between the two teams at Lyall Peacock Field as the young hotshot clocked up his 27th and 28th goals from 66 matches.
The game turned on its head after 10 minutes when West Wallsend had a man sent off and played more than 80 minutes with 10 men.
A defiant West Wallsend were impenetrable for most of the match and it took a second half penalty from Purcell to seal the three points for Toronto Awaba.
“Good to get off to a winning start,” Toronto Awaba coach Jarrod Hiles said.
“They were down to 10 men for the majority of the match. Credit to Westy, they pushed hard.
“We opened the scoring and Westy got an equaliser. We turned our possession into an end product with about 20 minutes to go. Jarrod converted a penalty.
“It was a good team effort. Connor Fitzpatrick had a good game. We’re a young team with 18-year-olds making their starting debuts in first grade.
“We have a lot of young players and we also some have a number of troops returning from injury and returning from holidays.
“We’ll be back in training on Monday and Wednesday. A few will be resting with injuries but hopefully will pull up ok.
“It's going to be a long season so hopefully the squad can stay fit and healthy because you're going to need depth and cover.
“It’s also an opportunity for the young lads coming through the system.”
Cessnock City Hornets FC 1-2 Singleton Strikers FC
Singleton Strikers prevailed 2-1 over Cessnock City in a high-intensity match at Turner Park on Sunday.
“It was a typical derby atmosphere. It’s always like that between the two teams,” Strikers coach Mick Jarvis said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning or end of the season the players and supporters are always up for this fixture.”
“It doesn't really matter which team is more clinical or better prepared on the day. You have to be up for the physical challenge.”
The Strikers broke the deadlock with a magnificent strike from 25 yards.
“Marlow Court-Kriesch hit a worldie from 25 yards, a spectacular way to open your account in round one,” Jarvis said.
“Joe Civello extended the lead for us then Brad Cox copped a hit to the nose and had to come off.
“We were treating the injury when we were caught out of shape and they scored. I don't read too much into that.
“We've got a short turnaround this week. We face the Redbacks Friday night so we'll give the boys an extra day to recover and we go again on Friday.”
