A first half double to skipper Hayden Nicol, plus goals to Tristan Muir, Jackson Cox and Joel Barner, enabled the hosts to enjoy a stunning 5-1 victory over Toronto Awaba FC.

It was the first win for the Strikers in 2020, following a 3-1 loss to the Cessnock City Hornets and a gutsy 0-all draw with West Wallsend FC in the opening two rounds pre-COVID-19.

And, the result could have been even greater for the Singleton outfit.

Missed opportunities to offside calls, while a few other shots sailed above the goalposts, were probably due to a lack of match time over the past three-and-a-half months than anything else.

Despite that, the Strikers always seemed in control of the encounter.

Nicol led from the front, blasting a ball past the goalie's outstretched hands to give his team a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.

Almost immediately, after a couple of near-misses hit the post, the captain finished it off with his second of the afternoon for a 2-0 margin.

That remained the score until the break.

The heavens opened in the second half, making life tough for both sides.

Joey Civello went close twice while, at the other end of the field, goalkeeper Corey Cleaver pulled off some great saves.

The Strikers surged further ahead, 3-0, when Muir parried the ball into the net.

Then, in the 80th minute, Cox added his name to the goalscorer's list - extending Singleton's advantage to 4-0.

Toronto Awaba refused to surrender and grabbed one back soon after against the run of play.

In the 86th minute, Barner put the icing on the cake.

"That was very pleasing," club secretary Warren Gillespie said.

"The boys did a terrific job, especially in the greasy, difficult conditions after half-time.

"Now, we'll focus on our next assignment - Wallsend FC."

The Strikers also triumphed in reserve grade, 2-1, thanks to goals from Nick Watson and Oran Marzol, while the under-18s shared the points with Toronto Awaba, courtesy of a 0-all draw.

The Singleton Storm annihilated Edgeworth 9-0 in the women's showdown, however the club's over-35s suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Seaham.