Bears score gutsy victory over arch-rivals

The victory at Rockwell Automation Park on home soil was a fitting way for Nathan Morris to bring up his 200th first grade game.

Not only did Morris celebrate the victory but also nailed the winner with his deadly free kick finding the net with eight minutes remaining.

Bears coach Steven Piggott named Nick Thompson at left fullback, moving Liam Thornton forward and Jye McKellar to the bench.

Michael Ryan and Rob Macbeth were fresh subs in a game that didn’t lack any passion between the arch-rivals.

The club made a presentation to Nathan Morris before kick-off by his father Trevor to acknowledge the milestone, and then it was game on.

Connor Evans had the Bears’ first chance after nine minutes with only Edgeworth keeper Jim Fogarty to beat, but pushed his shot wide.

Liam Thornton had the same chance six minutes later but hit his shot straight at the keeper, which saw the ball rebound to safety.

Three minutes later skipper Carl Thornton scored from close range after a Brock Oakley cross saw the Bears open up a 1-0 lead.

Robbie Turnbull copped a yellow card in the 20th minute and Edgeworth’s Brody Taylor sent a shot over in the 23rd minute.

Edgeworth levelled it up in the 37th minute when Dylan Holtz shot from outside the box found the net.

The second half started the same way with plenty of action and the players really put their bodies on the line.

Bren Hammel put Edgeworth’s shot over after three minutes, then Weston’s Jason Cowburn (50th) and Nick Thompson (53rd) copped yellow cards off referee Byron Jaye.

Edgeworth captain Luke Walker finally received a yellow card in the 58th minute, then they took the lead through Alex Johnson-Young.

But this was short lived when Liam Thornton followed his brother’s lead when converting from close range and brought up a scoreline of 2-2.

The locals lifted and sensed not only a point was possible, but all three points and a major lift up the points table.

With nine minutes left Zac Sneddon was up-ended 26 yards out from goal and up stepped Nathan Morris to take the direct free kick.

Morris had to curl the ball over the wall from the right hand side and into the far left hand corner, which was easier said than done.

As usual his shot was on target after it cleared the wall, crashing into the post and came back behind the keeper into the inside netting and gave the Bears a 3-2 lead.

There was six minutes of extra time played and it was end-to-end stuff but the Bears held on to it to cap off a great afternoon.

The under-22s had a 3-3 draw after leading on three occasions, with Jake Millsteed scoring a double and Jack Charnock one.

They sit in fifth position and are in the hunt to make the playoffs now if they continue to play the same brand of football.

Weston’s under-19s had a 1-0 win with Jacob Golding scoring the crucial winner after a great ball by Nick Hough was played into the box.

They also sit in fifth position and consistency from here on in will be crucial to their playoff prospects.

Weston face long-time rival Adamstown Rosebuds on Sunday at Adamstown in another game that is of major importance to the senior club.

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The Bears’ NPL Youth teams hosted Lambton Jaffas on Saturday with two wins, a draw and a 1-0 loss.

The under-17s lost 1-0 in another game they let slip when they had enough chances to win a couple of games.

The under-15s won 3-1 with Thomas Cunningham netting a brace and James Thompson scoring to maintain second position on the ladder.

Weston’s under-14s moved closer to fourth with a 5-0 win with a double to Regan Payne, and Ayden Von Essen, Harry Gordon and Jordan Glennie all scoring.

The under-13s had a 0-0 draw.

All four youth sides play South Cardiff at Evans Park, Cardiff this Saturday after been moved from Ulinga Oval, South Cardiff. It is another important game for all four sides as the final series grows closer.

For all Bears news go to www.westonfc.com.au.