MATCH REPORT – 6th July 2015
Strikers keep semi final hopes alive
The Singleton Strikers hosted First Division newcomers Cooks Hill on Sunday with both First Grade and the U17’s looking to keep their semi final hopes alive.
The day started with the Betts Bower Haulage U17’s kicking off looking to cement all 3 points with a win over their opponents…..but it was soon apparent that Cooks Hill had come to play.
A frantic end to end start to the game saw both teams create chances, but it was Cooks Hill who scored first after a defensive lapse. The visitors doubled their lead just before half time.
The second half started with both teams recognising that being the next to score was critical. Unfortunately, it was Cooks Hill who once again capitalised on some poor defending to score their third and put their game beyond reach. Singleton’s Hamish Mayled scored a late consolation for the Strikers with a well taken penalty.
The Viatek U19’s knew they were in for a tough game against the high flying Cooks Hill, and it was soon shown why as the visitors skipped to a 2 nil lead.
The second half was a much more even affair, and Singleton demonstrated that they can match any team in the competition when they click, but they lack the consistency to be a serious threat in their competition.
Cooks Hill added a third goal late on to round out the scoring.
The ATC Williams U23’s have had a knack of conceding soft early goals in recent games, and this was no doubt stressed in the sheds before kick off. But these plans soon went awry as defensive lynch pin Luke Wise limped off in the first few minutes, necessitating a shake-up in the defensive line up. Despite this early set back, the U23’s held firm until deep into the first half before Cooks Hill took a one goal advantage.
Cooks Hill stepped up the pressure in the second half, and the U23 Strikers couldn’t go with them as the visitors added 2 more goals to run out comfortable winners.
The Concept Controls First Grade team were desperate to get their 2015 campaign back on track with a win, and this intensity was soon apparent in the opening exchanges.
The attacking pair of Lloyd Wakewood and Jackson Cox were causing Cooks Hill all sorts of trouble. This pressure soon told as Cox forced an error from the hesitant defence and capitalised with an individual goal. Wakewood had the chance to double the lead, but he saw his shot roll agonisingly wide.
Cooks Hill created their own chances but stand-in keeper Corey Cleaver was more than up to the task.
The second half started in the same fashion with the Strikers on the attack, and once again it was captain Jackson Cox who found himself on the end of some classy play to score Singleton’s second goal.
Lloyd Wakewood’s non-stop efforts was soon rewarded with a goal, and the Strikers were away.
Cooks Hill tried to counter, but the Strikers held firm until late in the game when Cooks Hill finally got themselves on the score board.
But the visitors fight back was short lived, as Wakewood capped off a fine game with his second goal.
The final score of 4-1 was a fair measure of the game, and augers well for the Strikers going forward if they can maintain this form.