The Singleton Strikers braved the icy winds and bitter winter conditions on Saturday to share the spoils with visitors Kahibah FC.
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Both the Betts Bower Hualage U17's and Viatekc U19’s went down to the visitors. The U19’s game promised to be a cracker with both sides harbouring hopes of semi final football, but Kahibah had the better of the opening exchanges.
Although Singleton had the unorthodox but effective Jeremy Wilde to thank for keeping them in the game as he pulled off a number of top shelf saves. The score line remained 0-0 at half time, but the game came to life early in the second period as Oliver Moody gave Singleton the lead. Kahibah hit back straightaway. The game looked like finishing as a stalemate until a shaggy Kahibah shot seemed to deceive everyone and floated into the net to secure all three points for the visitors. The loss has seen any chance of semi final football slip away.
However, the Strikers Under 23's remain in semi final contention after a solid win. Going into they match they desperately needed continue their recent good form and pick up the three points. But the visitors Kahibah had won their last 13 games straight, and also had designs on a semi final berth. The opposition began strongly, and custodian Ryan Guihot made a number of good saves as Kahibah probed for an opening goal. But Singleton played themselves into the game, and Tate Edwards gave Singleton the lead on the half hour on the back of good lead up work by Rob Field. The second half saw the visitors push for victory, but Singleton were resolute and held firm for a well deserved victory. The win keeps their semi final hopes alive.
The Onekey Resources First Grade side also had a very different look to it as the absence of several regulars saw coach David Willoughby draft in a number of younger players. It was UK import Kieron Burrell who soon had the Strikers in the ascendency when he scored from a trade mark run. Singleton were forced into an early change after Sam Ford limped off with ankle damage, but the home side refused to let this unsettle them.They remained solid for the remainder of the half.
The second half saw Kahibah increase the tempo, but Singleton had all the answers. It was Burrell who once again unlocked the Kahibah defense as he simply bamboozled four defenders before slipping the ball to Nathan Hall who made no mistake with a clinical finish. It was a quality win from a Singleton team who will look back at points dropped during the season and wonder ‘what if?’