The Maitland Magpies have set up a blockbuster top-of-the-table showdown with the Lambton Jaffas following a four goal win on Sunday.
The Magpies accounted for previously third-placed Toronto Awaba 6-2 at Lyall Peacock Field in round seven of the Northern NSW Football First Division competition.
This keeps the Magpies (16 competition points) on equal billing with the Jaffas (16) on top of the ladder.
Both squads are unbeaten and were forced to split the points in the season opener after playing out a scoreless draw.
“It sets up a big one this week against the Lambton Jaffas at home,” Magpies coach Anthony Richards said.
“This is the start of the second round, we are both unbeaten on top and we had a 0-all draw in the first round.
“I think we have improved a lot since then though so it will be interesting to see how we go this time.”
Richards will be hoping for more of the same after an impressive showing against Toronto Awaba, which could have been even more comprehensive.
“We were really good actually,” he said. “And to be honest it could have been 10, we were a little blasé in front of goal.
“But we didn’t really have a bad player; it was hard to pick out too many faults.”
Luke Lawless was named players’s player for the Magpies on the back of a first half double while Brent McIntyre, Blake Thompson, James Boyle and Adam Sidotti also put their names on the goal scorers list.
The Magpies led 4-1 at half-time.
Greg Mudd was the only injury concern for the Magpies after he left the field in the lead up to half-time with a jaw complaint but he was cleared of any major damage.
Also in First Division on Sunday the Thornton Redbacks lost 4-1 in a bottom-of-the-table clash with the Singleton Strikers at Howe Park.
In Sunday’s other match, Adamstown and Belmont Swansea played out a 2-all draw, while on Saturday the Jaffas easily accounted for Cessnock 5-0.