MATCH REPORT – 25th March 2016
NEWFM First Division ROUND 4 vs Belmont Swansea
The Singleton Strikers good early season form deserted them on Good Friday when they lost all 4 grades in the distance derby against Belmont Swansea at Blacksmiths.
The day started with the Betts Bower Haulage U17’s, and the early morning kick off played into the hands of the home team. The young Strikers looked like they were still in their pyjamas as Belswans dominated the play. The home team scored after just 2 minutes when Singleton failed to defend a corner, and they added a 2nd 10 minutes later. The second half continued in the same vein with Belswans clearly the better side. Two more second half goals, including another from a poorly defended corner, sealed Singleton’s fate with a 0-4 loss.
The Viatek U19’s also got off to the worst possible start and were behind after just one minute without even touching the ball. Belswans than added another in the shadows of half time to take a 2 goal advantage into the break. A re-invigorated Viatek U19’s began the second period with a renewed purpose and Nathan Hall was the beneficiary of some great team lead up work to score Singleton’s first. Just a minute later and Hall was at it again as he weaved his magic through the heart of the Belswans defence to bring the scores back level. On a roll now, Singleton skipper Tom Golding completed the turnaround when he lashed his shot into the roof of the net. It looked like the Strikers would now run away with it, but the home team hit back with superb long range goal of their own. As the game looked set to peter out to a draw, Belswans won a corner and scored a winner from the resultant goal mouth scramble.
The ATC Williams U23’s took the field looking to halt Belswans dominance, but they were soon on the back foot. The home scored 3 goals in the opening 30 minutes, before Lucas Gentle was given a straight red card thereby reducing Singleton to 10 men. The second half saw a stirring fight back by the under manned Strikers, who managed to pull back 2 goals through the hard work of Derek English, but it was always going to be a massive task to catch Belswans and the game finsished at 2-3.
The Onekey Resources First grade team took the field in the days last game, and were soon on the attack with mercurial skipper Jackson Cox earning his side a penalty kick after being hauled down in the opening exchanges. The normally reliable Cox placed his kick well, but the Belmont Swansea keeper made a good diving save to deny Singleton an early lead. The tables turned quickly and with Belswans on the attack they earned themselves a penalty kick. But once again the kick was foiled when Singleton’s Stuart Plant dived well to his left to make a finger tip save.
The home side continued on the attack and the pressure eventually told when they scored the opening goal in the shadows of half time.
The second half opened as the first half had, with Singleton having the upper hand, but they failed to capitalise on this dominance, and Belswans eventually worked themselves back into the game. The home side twice caught the Singleton defence napping in the 70 and 72 minute mark to run out comfortable 3-0 winners. The was the Onekey Resources First grade team first loss in all competitions this year.