Match of the Round
Toronto Awaba FC 1-0 Dudley Redhead United SFC
Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles was impressed his team took all three points despite tough conditions when they defeated Dudley Redhead United 1-0 at Lyall Peacock Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams couldn’t be separated in the first half with an end-to-end contest on show.
Despite persistent attack from the Stags, a strong defensive line and top performance by Dudley’s Kyle Predebon denied them every shot on goal in the first half.
The Thistles’ flowing midfield created a strong connection with their attacking players but a well-built Stags defence refused any ball to go into the back of their net and sent the sides into the sheds all locked up 0-0 at half-time.
The Stags came out firing in the second half, with Nicholas Roberts narrowly missing a header and sent it over the crossbar.
But they didn’t have to wait long to gain the lead when Damon Green sent a long-range strike into the back of the net in the 59th minute.
Toronto was determined to double their lead with Jarrod Purcell one-on-one with Predebon but a nail-biting save denied Purcell.
Dudley responded quickly with a one-on-one chance with 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year Drew Olsen who produced a game-saving save to keep his side in front.
Stags Kade Howland weaved his way between the Thistles’ defence moments before the final whistle but Predebon continued his outstanding performance and denied Howland’s attempt to get on the scoreboard.
Hiles was happy his side secured their first win of the season despite the heat.
“I think we did quite well. We had a bit of possession in the first half but we didn’t do much with it,” Hiles said.
“I guess we were our worst enemies at one stage we’d sort of win it and then turn it over again.
“Coming back in that last 25, 30 minutes we created more chances, but Dudley’s keeper made some great saves and we just couldn’t finish it off.
“But, to play in these conditions and come out with the three points in the first round I’m really happy with that.”
The Stags were without new signing Luke Callan after he sustained a knee injury in a trial match but captain Zane Winslade returned to the pitch after a season ending injury in 2024.
“He [Winslade] was happy to be out there and we’re a better team with him in, so it was good to see him back out there.” said Hiles.
Dudley coach Mark Wilson thought his side had a lot to take away from their first game.
“I think we learned what the level is going to be like today,” Wilson said.
“It’s quicker, you have got to be more physical, you have got to be a bit stronger on the ball than the league we’ve just come from.
“So that’s a good learning experience today. We will take a lot out of it.”
Despite walking away with a loss and losing two boys to heat stroke, Wilson was proud of his side.
“I’m really proud of them, outstanding I thought,” said Wilson.
“To come up against one of the favourites, there’s lots of positives.
“I lost two boys to heat stroke, one at half-time and one sort of 10 minutes into the second half.
“So, the boys coming away with a 1-0 loss I’m proud of them, it was good.”
Toronto will look to keep the good times rolling when they face Wallsend FC at home on Sunday afternoon, while Dudley will hope to secure their first win of the season in front of their home crowd when they go head-to-head with Singleton Strikers on Sunday.
Lake Macquarie City FC 2-3 South Cardiff FC
Lake Macquarie City FC coach Pete Preston believed poor discipline cost his side in their 3-2 loss against South Cardiff FC in the HIT106.9 Northern League One season opener at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Friday night.
The Roosters got off to a flying start when Cade Thomson pounced on a South Cardiff defensive error and weaved through his opponents to net the first goal of the 2025 season in the fourth minute.
But the Gunners didn’t have to wait long for their first goal of the season after a cross from Brendon King made its way to Justin Banek who narrowly avoided a determined Cobe Preston and found the back of the net in the 15th minute.
An own goal from the Gunners extended Lakes’ lead in the 26th minute and it looked like they would head into the sheds with a 2-1 lead but a goalkeeping error that sent the ball straight to the feet of King made it all locked-up moments before half-time.
The second stanza produced a fast-paced, physical game going end-to-end with each team waiting for their chance to steal the lead.
The moment appeared to have come when a brain snap from C.Preston in the 84th minute awarded the Gunners a penalty.
But a focused C.Preston dove the right way and denied them the lead.
The Gunners didn’t have to wait long to establish their lead when they were awarded another penalty after a controversial challenge on Daniel Martinelli in the 90th minute.
Skipper Anthony Carter took no time to slot the ball into the back of the net and secure his side their first win of the season.
Preston thought a lack of composure and discipline contributed to his side’s loss.
“We were pretty clunky. Huffed and puffed a little bit, got ourselves in front a couple of times in the first half and gave a couple of silly goals away, just poor discipline from us,” Preston said.
“I think we need to control ourselves a little bit more.
“We got caught up in a bit of a mess at the end of the game and towards the back end of the game and that’s not going to get you an equalising goal. So, I just think we need a little more composure and discipline.”
Lakes will now go in search for their first win of the season this weekend as they travel to Turner Park on Sunday afternoon to challenge Cessnock City Hornets, while the Gunners will hope to make it two from two when they face West Wallsend at Johnston Park on Sunday afternoon.
Cessnock City Hornets FC 0-2 Singleton Strikers FC
Singleton Strikers picked up their first points of the season after defeating Cessnock City Hornets 2-0 at Turner Park on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams couldn’t be separated until the 78th minute when Jake Barner found the back of the net after a freekick was awarded to the Strikers when Hornets Sam Barker received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
The Strikers Jackson Cox doubled his side's lead just three minutes later.
The score would remain the same when the final whistle was blown despite persistent efforts by the Hornets who were determined to find the back of the net.
Cessnock will hope to bounce back in round two when they face Lake Macquarie City FC on Sunday afternoon, while the Strikers will look to pick up another three points when they go head-to-head with Dudley Redhead United on Sunday.
West Wallsend SFC 4-1 Thornton Redbacks FC
It was an action-packed night at Johnston Park on Saturday where West Wallsend SFC defeated a fresh-faced Thornton Redbacks FC 4-1.
The Bluebells 2024 leading goal scorer Spencer Clarke broke the deadlock in the 39th, starting his 2025 campaign off to a flying start.
James Lowe scored his first of the day moments before half-time to send the Bluebells into the sheds leading 2-0.
The Bluebells came out firing in the second stanza as Lowe scored his second goal of the season in the 45th minute.
Bailey Jenson added to the scoreline after he converted a penalty in the 71st minute.
It was too little too late when Redbacks Liam Kulupach netted his sides first and only goal of the match in the 80th minute.
The Redbacks will be determined to secure their first win of the season this Friday when they travel to Kahibah Oval to face Kahibah.
The Bluebells will face South Cardiff at home with both teams desperate to make it two from two on Sunday.
Wallsend FC 1-3 Kahibah FC
Despite hot conditions, it was raining goals in the first half at Ladbroke Gardens on Sunday night where Kahibah FC defeated home side Wallsend FC 3-1.
The Rams came out firing, scoring all three goals in the first seven minutes of the final match of the opening round.
Kahibah’s 2024 second-leading goal scorer Daniel Byrne started his campaign with a bang and found the back of the net in the fourth, fifth and seventh minutes of the match.
Cody Halpin kicked his season off in the 22nd minute scoring Wallsend’s first goal of the season.
The Red Devils looked to be clawing their way back when they were awarded a penalty in the first half.
But goalkeeper Jacob Zissis dove the right way and denied the goal, which sent them into the sheds trailing 3-1.
Wallsend had a second attempt on goal when awarded another penalty in the second half but Zissis continued his outstanding performance denying the Red Devils once again.
The score remained unchanged throughout the remainder of the match despite the Rams' opening deficit.
Kahibah will hope to go back-to-back on Friday night when they return home to Kahibah Oval to face Thornton Redbacks.
Wallsend will search for their first win of the season when they travel to Lyall Peacock Oval to face Toronto Awaba under the Friday night lights.