This week went from bad to worse for the Maitland Magpies, as they followed up a 2-0 midweek defeat with a 4-0 home thumping by Valentine FC on Saturday night.
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Valentine’s American import Jalon Brown scored a second half double in between a Scott McGinley penalty and a stunning long range strike from Josh Minors.
After a cagey opening from both sides, Valentine took the lead in the 15th minute through McGinley’s spot kick after Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was adjudged to have fouled the Valentine captain just inside the penalty area.
Ben Martin went about finding the equaliser shortly after, but Valentine keeper Scott Carter was equal to his first time strike from outside the box.
The Magpies worked their way back into the game, with plenty of possession and territory, but Brown almost doubled Valentine’s lead just before half time, as he fired just over from the edge of the box.
Maitland didn’t take heed of Brown’s warning shot before the break, and the American made it 2-0 with a breakaway goal, firing across Matt Trott into the bottom corner in the 51st minute.
The Magpies defence just couldn’t cope with Brown’s pace, as he made no mistake with another chance on the counter attack on the hour mark, to make the points safe.
Substitute Ryan Clarke almost pulled a goal back, but his curling effort was brilliantly palmed wide by Carter.
Valentine put the icing on the cake with 10 minutes to play, when Josh Minors’ ferocious left-foot strike from distance left Trott with no chance.
Trott denied Valentine a fifth, palming away another long range strike shortly afterwards and substitute Matt Comerford almost headed in a consolation goal in the dying minutes.
The win sent Valentine temporarily to the top of the league, with further round seven matches to be played on Sunday afternoon.
Maitland’s heavy schedule continues with a washout catch-up game against Weston Bears at Cooks Square Park on Wednesday night, before taking on this season’s surprise package Lake Macquarie, also at home next Sunday afternoon.
Bears and Jets share points
A Chris Hurley double wasn’t enough to get the Weston Bears their first win of the season.
Hurley scored twice in the second half but the Newcastle Jets Youth responded both times to secure a 2-all draw.
The Bears, widely tipped to be bottom of the ladder, have only lowered their colours once this season, a 2-0 loss to Broadmeadow Magic.
But they have been unable to convert winning chances and have five draws.
Weston face Hamilton Olympic away at Darling Street Oval next Sunday.
