Maitland striker Braedyn Crowley delivered a masterclass in finishing scoring five goals in the Magpies 6-0 romp over Adamstown on Tuesday night at Cooks Square Park.
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It was a career equal-best return for Crowley who was playing his first regular season game back at Cooks Square Park after rejoining the Magpies for the 2022 season after a COVID-interrupted season in Victoria last year.
"It could have been six," Crowley said referring to a gilt-edged chance which he sent wide in the last play of the game.
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"I did everything right, but it just wasn't meant to be.
"I had (injured teammate) Sean Pratt in my screaming 'you won't get six', so that was probably it."
Crowley said the five-goal effort matched a five-goal game in the Melbourne NPL.
"That's another fiver and they're pretty good days when you put five away."
At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Paul Bitz was having a pretty good day as well to keep his and the defensive units third clean sheet to start the season.
Bitz dove to his right to save a 30th minute penalty taken by Kaleb Cox and stopped at least two other shots which seemed destined for the back of the net.
The 6-0 effort lifts Maitland to the top of the table on seven points with two wins and a draw, equal on points with Charlestown Azzurri and a further point ahead of Broadmeadow with two wins from four games.
It sets up an exciting El Clasicoal Derby against Weston at Rockwell Automation Park on Saturday, with the Bears sitting fifth with three points from just one game a 5-0 hammering of Cooks Hill United.
"It was good to get back on the field with the boys, it's been two weeks with no training as well so to get back on the field and play on a good pitch was great," Crowley said of the game in which he scored in the 3rd, 8th, 70th, 72nd and 85th minutes punctuated by his joint captain Jimmy Thompson in the 13th minute.
Maitland looked sharp at times with rapid ball movement opening repeated opportunities for Crowley and others in the front third.
But the intensity dropped and they needed to call on Bitz and centre backs Will McFarlane and Zack Thomas to keep a clean sheet.
"It's hard when you go up a couple of goals up pretty early on, you've got to keep that momentum and keep your head switched on," he said.
"But I also think you've got to be a bit realistic we haven't trained in two weeks and it showed.
"We were probably a bit off tonight to be honest, but to come here put some goals away get the points on a Tuesday night is a good feeling."
Crowley said every Maitland game against Weston was keenly fought.
"It's a massive game if we get on. Weston are in good form after beating Cooks Hill 5-0. They've got good players.
"I think every time we play Weston it's a battle so I'm looking forward to it."
Top four clash for Maitland in NLPW
The undefeated Magpies NPLW team host Charlestown Azzurri in a top four clash on Sunday, weather permitting.
In their first home game of the season at Cooks Square Park, the Magpies should have key defender Maddi Galagos back for the game against Azzurri who have a two win and one loss record.
The Magpies are sitting second with two wins from two games equal on six points with Warners Bay (first), Broadmeadow Magic (third) and Azzurri (fourth) after their round three Friday night game against Magic was washed out and postponed to June 13.
Kick off on Sunday is at 3pm
