The Bears lead Hamilton Olympic by a point (29) while Edgeworth and West Wallsend, who both had draws on the weekend, sit back on 28 points.

Taking on the eighth-placed Toronto, who only have one point to their name, it looked like a game the Bears should win easily. It was quite obvious after a short period of time that Toronto had nothing to lose and were going to have a real go at Weston.

Whatever doubts lingered were soon put to bed when Toronto opened the scoring in the 24th minute of play. Robbie Turnbull’s square ball was intercepted 10 yards inside Toronto’s half and they broke quickly off the break. They attacked in numbers and Todd Cawley got inside Weston’s box and marked it high into Weston’s net giving keeper, Tim Pratt, no chance.

Weston hit back right on the stroke of half time, when they received a corner from the right hand side and Michael Hold swung the ball in towards the Toronto goal mouth. Rhys Tippett got the vital touch with his header and the Bears took the 1-1 scoreline to the sheds at the break.

Jamie Subat had his shot cleared off the line in the 49th minute then Michael Holt from only a couple of yards out blazed the ball wide two minutes later. Rhys Tippett was seemingly brought down six minutes later and a penalty seemed certain but referee Rodney Allen waved play on.

Time was starting to get away with only 15 minutes left on the clock, you could feel the Bears supporters start to feel a bit nervous. The much-needed winner came with 12 minutes remaining when Matthew Toohey crossed low and hard into the box. Rob Macbeth was on hand and converted from close range and gave the Bears the 2-1 lead and in the end, victory.

The 23’s lost 2-0 and under 18’s went down 3-2 after Sam Turnbull and Tim Gleeson gave Weston a 2-0 lead at the break.

Tonight, the Bears will play West Wallsend at Johnston Park, West Wallsend, in a deferred game from July 11. The under 18’s start at 5.30pm, 23’s at 7pm while first grade kick off at 8.45pm in another important game.

This Sunday Weston face Broadmeadow Magic at Wanderers Oval in what will be their second last away game in the preliminary rounds. Although the Magic sit second bottom they still have a decent squad and as usual will be a difficult opponent.