THE Singleton Strikers hosted former State League champions West Wallsend in all four divisions at Howe Park on Sunday.
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And, the much-anticipated first grade encounter lived up to its match of the round status.
The Strikers have been enjoying a run of good form, and were keen on adding the West Wallsend scalp to their belts.
A nail biting first half was testament to the evenness of the teams.
Singleton midfielder Keiran Delaney went close with a long range effort, and custodian Stuart Plant kept the scoreboard at 0-all with a fingertip save.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with neither side being able to break the deadlock.
Delaney once again stuck the hands of the Westy keeper, and Lloyd Wakewood saw his header fly just wide of the target for the Strikers.
At the other end, Plant was called upon to make a smart save down low at the near post.
The visitors managed to score the first goal, but the Strikers redoubled their efforts and Albanian Klaudon Ahmataj equalised with a fiercely-hit shot.
The momentum was once again with the locals, and centre forward Dan Bartlett capped off a non-stop effort with Singleton’s second goal – and the Strikers held on to record their third win in a week.
In a good team performance, the players voted for youngster Jackson Skinner as man of the match.
The ATC Williams under-23s were also looking to pick up points to get there season back on track,
But, in contrast to their under-19 club mates, the under-23s started slowly and West Wallsend took a two-goal lead into the break.
The second half was a different story with the Strikers clearly the better side as they got themselves back into the game with goals through Will Straw and Chase Hamilton.
However, cruelly, the visitors scored a very late goal to dash the under-23’s hopes.
The Viatek under-19s have struggled for form in season 2015, and a clash against semi-final prospects in West Wallsend was surely going to be a stern test.
But the locals put on one of their best performances so far and were desperately unlucky not to take at least some points.
They started brightly and were quick to take the lead through Tony Zanardi before West Wallsend had settled.
However, they could not maintain the momentum, and just before half-time a 10-minute spell put West Wallsend in control as they scored three quick goals.
After the break, Westy added a fourth to snuff out any chance of a comeback.
Tully Winsor scored a late consolation goal for the Strikers.
The Betts Bower Haulage under-17s started the day’s proceedings and, fresh from mid-week win over Thornton, they were looking to take all three points against a West Wallsend team just above them on the table.
And they started with the confidence you would expect and took an early lead through athletic striker Cashlin Murray-Mell.
But, two defensive lapses just before the interval saw the visitors take a 2-1 lead into the sheds.
A bit of a rev up from coach Mick Dean over the break ensured the young Strikers dominated once again and Murray-Mell scored his second to level the scores.
Once again, Westy rallied and replied with two of their own.
Man of the match Dan Bray scored a third for Singleton to set up a barnstorming finish, but it would prove to be too little too late for the under-17s.
The Strikers are in action again at Howe Park mid-week when they play catch up games against lowly Toronto.
The ATC Williams U23s and Concept Controls first grade sides play on Wednesday night, with the U17 and U19 fixtures on Thursday evening.
Games kick off at 6.15pm.