On Saturday the youth grade sides recorded two wins and two losses, followed on Sunday by defeats, but improvement from 19s and 23s.

Saturday also saw a start of action for the club's 9 and 10 year Skills Acquisition Programme at Alroy Oval. Some high class football was on display by both visiting and local teams.

Whilst scores and results are not recorded the locals had more than one good win, all teams playing two games each.

After the quality of last week's performance coach Dave Willoughby was disappointed with the performance at Cessnock and felt they were lucky grab a point.

There was one change in the Singleton team with Ryan Dean coming in for the injured Hayden Nicol.

The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides having chances but the best probably fell to the Strikers.

There was no score when the half time whistle blew. Singleton lacked the bite of last weekend and were too often beaten to the ball but took the lead mid-way through the half when a hand ball in the box saw Jake Barner step up and take the lead for the Strikers.

Cessnock took the initiative but looked unlikely to score until they caught Singleton on the break and scored a well constructed goal.

From then on it was helter skelter but neither side could break the deadlock.

There were some last ditch tackles from Jordan Phelan while Jackson Cox again ran himself into the ground in mid-field.

Both sides were sure to be disappointed with the one all draw.

23's were soon two goals behind but by half time had brought the game back on level terms.

Both were scored to Nathan Smart, the second a penalty, who had a strong game.

After half time play went from end to end but despite Singleton having chances they were caught out at the back allowing Cessnock to again take the lead.

Keeper Shiffran Hussein made a couple of top class saves while in front of him Corey Henderson made several telling interceptions. The final score was Cessnock 3 Singleton 2.

The 19s were still short of players and despite a vastly improved performance were still well beaten, even though they had a number of chances. The outstanding player was Nick Watson.

At half time in the 14's on Saturday things are looking dire for the young Strikers.

The 13's are still finding their feet at this level and from all reports had keeper Thomas Pearce to thank on numerous occasions in keeping the score in check. What was described as a very poor first half saw the young Strikers down 1-7 at half time.

Coach Dylan Bentley's half time talk must have been inspiring as the boys came out firing but the deficit was too much though they pulled back three goals without reply.

Alex Staffa score three with the other going to Hayden Moorcroft.

Singleton's dominance continued into the next game.

Blayden Brooks opened the scoring for the young Strikers five minutes in and this was quickly followed by a Callan Hungerford goal.

As rain continued to fall in the second half the defence of Wynston Wegner and Nate Foster allowed the mid field to feed the ball to the forwards.

Hungerford quickly added another two goals after the resumption and scored his fourth late in the half ending the game Cessnock 0 Singleton 5.

The 17's started with a bang but found it hard to get their first goal. It was Charlie O'Bryan who scored the first of his three goals.

The last of Singleton's six first half goals was a classic, starting with the keeper five crisp passes and the ball was in the back of the net.

The other scorers were Lachlan Bentley, Cameron Neal and Marlow Court -Kreisch.

Resting on their laurels the Strikers were under pressure for much of the second half but a stunning strike from Court-Kriesch brought up the final 7-0 score line.

Next weekend the senior sides play on Saturday and the youth teams on Sunday against high flying Cooks Hill at Fearnley/Dawes Athletic Field, Newcastle.