That sets up a first grand final appearance since the inaugural season of what is now called NEW FM Northern League One.

That was in 1992 when the locals beat Stockton by the only goal of the game, 28 years is a long wait.

Both sides were well supported as play started on the synthetic pitch at Northern NSW Football's Speers Point facility.

The first quarter of an hour saw the two teams testing the other with most play in the middle third of the field.

That all changed and the game came to life when Singleton were awarded a corner, taken by Jake Barner, his brother Joel flicked it on to Lachlan Nichol whose powerful header gave the keeper no chance.

This changed the tone of the game and New Lambton pushed forward bringing out some good saves from Corey Cleaver whose dominance of the six yard box was outstanding.

The last few minutes of the half saw the Strikers goal under siege but they held on to the lead.

In the second half New Lambton started with new vigour and with one or two Singleton players feeling the effects of slight knocks.

There was a feeling that if the Strikers could weather this storm their opponents would need to push forward even further, leaving space at the back for the speedy Singleton attack.

And so it happened. A corner after twenty odd minutes found Tristan Muir at the back post and while the officials recorded it as an own goal, Singleton were giving Muir the credit for a two nil lead.

This setback appeared to really affect New Lambton and three minutes later a Bowen Bagnall shot (or was it a cross) hit the post and into the net. Singleton were 3-0 up and virtually game over.

To their credit New Lambton still gave the Strikers defence some work to do but when Joel Barner latched onto a weak clearance he found himself one on one with the keeper and completed the demolition. The premiers now have to take on Cooks Hill, who beat Kahibah 4-3, for the right to take on Singleton in the championship game. The Strikers team was Cleaver; Brad Cox, Jackson Skinner, Ben Henry, Muir; Lachlan Hayden Nicol, Bowen Bagnall, Jake Barner; Jack Clare and Joel Barner. Dylan Bently and youngsters Ethan Garrington and Kye Dann replaced three of the bruised Strikers late in the game. Assuming this group are all fit and with Joe Civello's back in action and Marcus Morris back from suspension, coach Brendan Slade will have the happy problem of who to play.