Match of the Round
West Wallsend SFC 3-2 Wallsend FC
Wallsend was declared blue after West Wallsend defeated Wallsend 3-2 at Johnston Park on Sunday afternoon.
Westy coach Geoff Blomfield applauded the midfield generals who swayed the destiny of the match.
"Delighted with the win. Bailey Jensen and Matthew Paul controlled the middle of the park and worked really hard,” Blomfield said.
"We had plenty of chances to win and finish the game off but couldn't find the target.”
Wallsend coach Michael Gatt expected the frosty welcome and lamented on key moments which ultimately determined the outcome.
"It was a very hostile and intense match that's for sure. To concede two penalties and an own goal was devastating for the lads," Gatt said.
"Like every derby match it was on from the whistle and to be 2-0 down after 30 minutes and 2-1 at half-time.
"We had a penalty scored by Lucas Egge. After half-time the referee plays advantage, they take a shot and miss then he comes back to award a penalty.
"Then with 15 minutes to go Daniel Keelan got on to a through ball to score to make it 3-2.
"Their goalkeeper Joel [Magnee] and our keeper Jakeb Keating definitely put on a show.
"Wow Joel saved at least four point blank shots to win them the game and Jakeb was massive with some great saves again.
"I can't wait for the next derby, that's for sure.”
South Cardiff FC 4-4 Toronto Awaba FC
After a 95th minute equaliser and four goals apiece both managers walked away with nothing but mutual respect from Ulinga Oval on Friday night.
The match had so many talking points that Toronto Awaba coach Jarrad Hiles did not know where to start.
"A 10-page essay wouldn't be enough to cover this match," Hiles said.
"A really competitive game played with great intensity from both sides.”
The Gunners fired their heavy artillery from the first whistle but Toronto Awaba goalkeeper Reef Parker put up a brick wall.
"Our goalkeeper Reef Parker made two top shelf saves at 0-0 and was solid all night," Hiles said.
"We went into the break 2-1 up with goals from Ethan Wilson and Jarrod Purcell.
"South Cardiff equalised early in the second half, then we had Nick Roberts sent off with a second yellow card about 15 minutes into the second half.
"With only 10 men, we went ahead again through another Ethan Wilson goal from outside the box. His night would be ended early with a nasty clash with the South Cardiff goalkeeper earning a penalty.
"Ethan would go off with concussion and a bloodied nose. Bailey Snowden converted the penalty for a 4-2 lead.
"Southy hit back late in normal time then equalised about the sixth minute of injury time. We had a solid penalty call turned away late in the game and it would finish 4-4.
"South Cardiff are very good in the counterattack and will hurt a lot of teams this year.”
South Cardiff coach Perry Mellon paid respect to the defiant Stags who locked horns with 10 men.
"It was a thrilling game. Credit to Toronto, they made it tough for us to play our way for long periods, even with 10 men," Mellon said.
"Our boys showed great resilience to score two goals in the last seven minutes to steal a point from the match.
"Wes Pryce scored a great header from a corner in the first half.”
But it was a home-grown teenager who rescued a point for the Gunners.
"Lincoln Davies, a player who has come through our youth program and is only 16, in his second first grade game, came off the bench and scored a brilliant header off a Justin Banek cross," Mellon said.
"Vincent Asembo scored a back post header with his first touch off the bench, a great delivery by Tom Sparre.
"Sam Modderno scored the equaliser in the 95th minute after a diagonal ball in behind the defence with a low and hard finish across the keeper.”
Belmont Swansea United 2-1 Cessnock City Hornets
Reigning champions Belmont Swansea United kick started their campaign with a 2-1 win over the Hornets at Blacksmith Oval on Saturday night.
Jack Diebold made amends from a missed a penalty with a goal in the first half to put BelSwans ahead.
Reece Newton dominated the midfield and was rewarded with a goal in the second half which ultimately won BelSwans the match.
It was another polished goalkeeping display from young gun goalkeeper Tyler Bartley who saved a penalty.
BelSwans coach Joshua Rufo walked away with mixed emotions, happy with three points but room for improvement.
"We played well in patches and created lots of chances but lacked the composure in front of goal," Rufo said.
"The pleasing thing was, even though it wasn't our best football we managed the game and got the win.
"The opposition gave us lots of headaches and it was a really competitive game.”
Kahibah FC 0-1 Singleton Strikers
A goal from Joel Barner sealed the points and sent the Singleton Strikers to the top of HIT106.9 Northern League One with three wins from three.
The Strikers showed a steely resistance playing with 10 men for over half an hour at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday night.
Singleton centre-back Jackson Skinner controlled the backline thwarting the Kahibah aerial bombardment.
"Basically it was a game of contrasting styles," Strikers coach Mick Jarvis said.
"Kahibah looked to play quite direct, sending long ball after long ball that I felt our defenders dealt with quite well.
"Opposed to Kahibah, we played high tempo possession football and our quality on the ball proved to be the difference.”
Thornton Redbacks had the bye
