Story courtesy of Northern NSW Football
Wallsend FC 3 (Matt Williams, Sam Bradshaw, Wez Pryce) def. Belmont-Swansea United 2 (Mitch Harper x2)
Sunday 1st April, 4:00 pm, Blacksmiths Oval
For the second week in a row, Wallsend would play a ‘home’ match at their opponent’s home ground, but again, it didn’t seem to faze them as they ran out as impressive victors against last year’s Grand Finalists, Belswans.
After receiving a 9-0 drubbing at the same ground last season, the Red Devils kicked on this match in extremely different fashion as Matt Williams scored very early on to give his team the lead and all the momentum.
Wallsend were making all the early chances with last week’s scorers Sam Bradshaw and Ty Goldsmith, both coming very close to finding another as it seemed Belswans just weren’t able to match the intensity displayed from the ‘home team.’
Wallsend’s gusto would eventually pay off though as Bradshaw eventually got his goal after a crazy, scrambling effort inside the box which was followed by a stunning strike from new-man Wez Pryce, to give the Red Devils a commanding 3-0 lead.
Young forward Cameron Lodge tried to propel Belswans back into the contest in the second half with a scintillating run past multiple Wallsend defenders and low cross to Sean Matthews who just missed the goal, and it seemed that energy began to spark the rest of the team as Mitch Harper finally got one back for his team and the momentum in their favour.
With only minutes remaining, Harper again found the back of the net, but it was an unfortunate case of ‘too little, too late’ for the boys from Blacksmiths and Wallsend continued their impressive, undefeated start to the year.
Wallsend coach Ben Edwards, stated that his side hadn’t contemplated the huge loss they suffered at the hands of Belswans last season and he was just focusing on their own game.
“We didn’t think about it at all,” Edwards admitted.
“There was only about two of the eleven from that game.”
“We’re better off than we were last year.”
Edwards praised his team all across the park for their “high-tempo football” and said he was very impressed and happy with the win.
“It was a game of two halves really.
“Our first half was incredible.“We were just trying to match it with them.”