Singleton Strikers FC's star performers this week were their New FM junior teams with the four teams finding the back of the net 24 times against local rivals Cessnock City on Sunday.
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Despite looking the better team and having more play first grade had to be content with a 1-1 draw on Saturday after the lower grades had been beaten but giving encouraging performances.
In community football the Storm, Singleton's ladies drew with Medowie while both Over 35 teams, undermanned in both cases, were beaten on the road.
After the games on Saturday coach David Willoughby indicated that he was so impressed with the way the senior side had played and with their resilience and fighting spirit.
Games between the Strikers and Cessnock Hornets are always keenly fought and this was a typical, feisty local derby. Both sides had early half chances as the two teams went into the break without either having broken the deadlock.
A defensive error allowed the Hornets to take the lead and more wasted chances at the other end looked as if the visitors were going to take the points despite Singleton's dominance.
Late in the game a header from Joe Civello restored parity but neither side was able to grab the extra points.
"It's always a good feeling when you score but one against Cessnock is always that bit sweeter being a local derby," Civello said.
"It means a lot more to people not just the boys on the park but also the people in the committee and the volunteers and supporters."
At the after game function at the Royal Hotel defender Tristan Muir was named Players Player, in what must have been a very tight race.
The 23's fell victim to a stunning early goal and try as they may were not able to equalise despite playing arguably their best game of the season.
The game was marred late on when Nathan Hall was carried off on a stretcher, with what looked like a nasty lower leg injury.
Dan Bray, starting to show the form he displayed as a junior was named Players Player.
The 19s still requiring numbers from the junior ranks again gave their all to be beaten 0-3, a score-line that maybe flattered their opponents.
Josh Shade and Nick Watson were again standouts with both along with Oran Marzol earning a place on the first grade bench. Shade was his team mates pick of the day.
On Sunday, the thirteens were soon behind the eight ball, conceding four goals before they turned things around with three goals in quick order.
Goals by Damien Staffa (2) and Christian Bentley saw the young Strikers on top but a late Cessnock goal sealed their win. There was huge praise for every player in the team from all who watched.
The 14s who were beaten by Cessnock earlier in the season were soon on top and led 4-0 at half time against a team above them on the table.
Three more goals after the break seal a massive 7-0 score-line. Billy Moody scored one to add to the six goal tally of Alex Staffa.
The 15s, looked as if their inconsistency was going to again taker its toll. After an early goal to Josh Ihle they conceded, to go in one all at half time, allowing the young Hornets back into the game.
After the break they realised that the easy win early in the season counted for nothing, started to play again and after a break-away, half saved by the keeper, was slotted home by the impressive Cal Hungerford they took control again.
A great save by Luke Meyn at one end was followed by Ihle's second and late in the game, Wynston Wegner gave the Cessnock keeper no chance from the spot. The final score Singleton 4 Cessnock 1.
The 17s beat their opponent by seven at Cessnock and were keen to improve on that. They were three up within five minutes, starting with a mazy run down the right from Elijah Smith in which he beat half his opponents before opening the scoring.
This was followed by a thumping volley by skipper Marlow Court-Kriesch, a second to Smith from the spot and goals to Cameron Neal and Lachlan Passlow.
With a tiring Hornets outfit unable to cope with a rampant Strikers side Passlow completed a hat-trick, second goals for the skipper and Neal to be rounded out with tenth scored by Lachlan Bentley.
As mentioned earlier both Over 35 sdies were short of numbers and were well beaten at New Lambton and Cooks Hill.
The Storm braved a bitter Howe Park against Medowie coming away with a two all raw against a team they had thrashed only a few days before.
Hayley Fraser, back in Storm colours for the first time in several years and Katie Bell were the scorers.
This weekend should have been free for all teams but the New FM youth grade teams will be taking on West Wallsend in the games washed out earlier in the season.
They will be at "Westy" on Monday. The following week, June 15/16 Cook Hill will be the visitors at Howe Park.
FINAL RESULTS
First Grade Singleton 1 Cessnock 1
23s Singleton 0 Cessnock 1
19s Singleton 0 Cessnock 3
17s Singleton 10 Cessnock 0
15s Singleton 4 Cessnock 1
14s Singleton 7 Cessnock 0
13s Singleton 3 Cessnock 5
Over35 E Cooks Hill 4 Singleton 0
Over 35F New Lambton 7 Singleton 0
Storm Singleton 2 Medowie 2
