The Weston Bears lacked the killer punch to put away their chances against a well disciplined Maitland Magpies who squared the El Clasicoal ledger for 2019 with a 3-1 win at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
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"The first half Maitland were the better side, the second half we created enough chances to put a couple of goals away. We certainly missed a few we should have scored but Maitland were too strong," Bears assistant coach Craig Stoker said.
"We definitely didn't play the way we can and to Maitland's credit they didn't allow us to play the way we can play.
"It's another learning curve for the boys, they are a young side and the reality is if they finish and take their chances we win, so it is hard to be too critical of them."
Weston remain on top of the table with 25 points from 13 games, Broadmeadow Magic are second on 24 points from 12 games. Edgeworth (13 games) and Maitland are next on 23 points - but importantly, Maitland has two games in hand to play.
"They've got the upper hand to now win the comp with the games in hand they've got," Stoker said of Maitland's chances to win the premiership by finishing on top of the table at the end of the season.
"The ball's in their court now to win the premiership."
However, Stoker is still confident that the Bears can mount a strong campaign for silverware.
"Maitland are probably the strongest team we've played this year.
"The Jaffas have quality across the field, so do Magic but the game Maitland plays is hard to contend with. It was our toughest game all year.
"They're premiership favourites now, but hopefully a grand final between the two sides will be on the cards.
"Liam Wilson was good again. Nathan Morris and Zach Sneddon were good and Robbie Turnbull at fullback did some good things.
"No one played badly, it was just we didn't have the goal scorer they had."
Joel Wood put Maitand ahead in the 23rd minute after a clever nod-on from Ryan Clarke. Alex Read extended the advantage when he bundled over Wood's cross in the 42nd minute.
Despited being peppered by repeated Weston attacks the Magpies defence held until a fierce strike by Liam Wilson from the edge of the 18-yard box broke through for a goal in the 71st minute.
Weston pressed hard after Wilson's goal but couldn't find an equaliser. Maitland clinched the win in the 92nd minute when Tom Duggan scored his first goal in first grade capitalising on the Bear pushing forward for an equaliser.
The Bears have the bye this weekend and face Valentine at Valentine on July 6.
