The Weston Bears took care of business against a hard-working Adamstown on Sunday courtesy of two stunning goals from Liam Wilson.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was the type of win expected by a top of the table team and now they can set their sights on a top-four El Clasicoal derby against Maitland at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
"It should be a huge game. We are all looking forward to it. I think both sets of fans will come out in force," Bears assistant coach Craig Stoker said at Monday night's training at Merewether Baths where players had an ice bath recovery sessions.
The Magpies are in red-hot form as well with a 4-2 win against Valentine on Sunday following their 2-1 FFA Cup round seven win against Hamilton on Tuesday night.
"It's great for local football to have the Bears and Magpies in the top four and fighting for finals spots," Stoker said.
"This will be a big challenge for us, but I think both teams will be pretty confident."
The Bears secured all three points on Sunday with a strong defensive effort in the final 30 minutes in a game which would have created all sorts of trouble for them in the past.
Ever-green defensive veteran Nathan Morris came on in the second-half to add valuable experience and is returning to match fitness playing the majority of the 20s game before hand.
He is likely to line-up for the 20s mid-week and be available to start against Maitland.
"Nathan is such a respected bloke around the group. The boys love him and he adds so much with his experience and voice when he is on the field," Stoker said.
Zach Sneddon has been elevated to the defensive lynch-pin and Chris Hurley has lifted his game to a new level becoming the assist king with his deft and well-time passes and hard running to contests.
Stoker said the Bears were blessed with an abundance of young attacking and confident players including former Central Coast Marier Wilson, Regan Lundy and Dutch import Jason Tjien-Fooh.
"None of them are intimidated by anyone. They have a confidence about them and plenty of football smarts," he said.
"They are really benefitting from (coach) Kew Jaliens knowledge of the game.
"After he scored a stunner from the edge of the 18-yard box in the first half, Kew took young Liam aside at half-time and said to him basically that Adamstown were open for him to do the same in the second.
"Liam's done what Kew told him and sure enough he scored in nearly exactly the same fashion.
"Adamstown are no slouches, it's just the subtle things that Kew picks up and can pass on to the boys."
Stoker said the Bears would have virtually injury a full squad to choose from for Sunday's El Clasicoal.
"It's a good position to be in. The really positive thing, however, is that we still have a lot of upside in our performances, still have areas of improvement."
Kick-off at Cooks Square Park on Sunday is at 2.30pm.