The Singleton Strikers hosted New Lambton in Round 16 of the Northern League competition with only the U23’s side securing a gutsy win. The fixture was only minutes old when the Strikers gave up a penalty kick for a simple hand ball infringement. Fortunately, Strikers goalkeeper Ryan Guihot was up to the task and saved the spot kick with aplomb. But New Lambton soon struck the first blow when a corner kick somehow found its way into Singleton’s net. The Strikers gradually fought their way back into the game with influential midfielder Tom Golding prominent, but the score remained 0-1 at the break. The normally reliable Luke Geipel had the chance to restore parity for the Strikers but skied his effort well over the cross bar. Both teams rallied, and the game grew into an exciting fixture. The game ebbed and flowed with end to end attack.Singleton scored through Jacob Hill. The opposition replied. Hill scored his second with a well taken strike. The Strikers were then awarded a penalty which Hill took with ease to score his third goal. As the intensity grew, the tackles started flying in. New Lambton had a player red carded for referee abuse, and Singleton’s Nathan Willoughby was carried off groggy after a nasty head clash as the Strikers held on for a gutsy 3-2 victory. The U17’s were under pressure early against a strong opposition, and the pressure soon told as the visitors took an early lead. Midway through the half a penalty was awarded, and duly converted, by the visitors giving them a 2 goal lead. And then, in the shadows of half time, a second controversial penalty to New Lambton saw the game effectively put to bed when they scored and took a commanding 3 goal lead. The rot continued in the second half with a confident looking New Lambton running amok against a lacklustre Singleton. A dour second half ensued - whether Singleton improved or the opposition put the cue in the rack is subject to debate – but the 40 minutes produced little of note with New Lambton adding a lone goal mid way through the period. While the U19’s game started evenly with both teams creating chances without really looking they were going to score and it was Singleton  who struck the first blow when Nathan Smart rose majestically above the pack to head the Strikers into the lead. This lead was shortlived as New Lambton struck back twice in quick succession to bring up the half time score of 2-1. The opposition continued to exert their superiority in the second period scoring two more goals. First Grade were under the pump early, New Lambton took the lead after just 10 minutes and half time couldn’t come quick enough for the home side. The second half was a much improved performance but it was too little too with he visitors adding 2 more to round out a convincing 5 goal win.