Weston Bears move into third place

The Bears have three games left and could finish as high as first but could still miss the playoffs, the competition is so tight.

Coach Steven Piggott made one change – with Nick Thompson out injured he put in Jye McKellar up front.

Only 10 minutes into the game Nathan Morris played the ball long and in behind the Adamstown defence with the wind behind Weston’s back.

Garry McDermott timed his run from deep to perfection and got a vital touch, which guided the ball into the net and gave Weston a 1-0 lead.

The Bears increased their lead four minutes later when Morris again got it right with the ball he played almost pinpoint to Connor Evans.

After having a great first touch Evans then balanced himself before calmly getting his last touch on the ball goal bound and into the empty net.

It was as good as over when Evans scored his second in the 24th minute with a vital touch off his head to make it 3-0.

Weston had both Jason Cowburn and Morris replaced late in the first half with Rob Macbeth and Michael Ryan taking to the park.

The Bears had knocked the ball around well and were in control, and delivered the knockout blow in the 40th minute when Mick Ryan scored.

After using his pace he drew the Adamstown keeper Scott Carter and slammed the ball into the far right hand corner.

One minute into the second half, Jake Barner took the place of Zac Sneddon who copped a heavy knock prior to the break.

The second stanza was a dour affair with the scoreline a major factor as the game deteriorated.

Rain set in as did the poor light, and both sides struggled as the surface became even greasier to play on.

“In the end it was the three points gained and the march to the playoffs will continue as the benefits are anyone’s guess what the Bears can achieve,” Weston football manager Shane Johnson said.

The under-22s had a 3-2 win to move into fifth position, with Hugh Spinaze netting a double and coach Blake Glennie scoring a bomb to win the game.

Weston’s under-19s came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 with Alec Mathias and Isaac Peek getting the all-important goals to move into fourth position.

The Bears return to Rockwell Automation Park on Sunday to confront fifth-placed Charlestown City Blues, who they drew with 3-3 in the first round.

Weston’s Youth teams played at Evans Park Cardiff against South Cardiff last Saturday, winning three grades and drawing the other.

These games were played for double points and goals after the first round was postponed due to the wet weather.

The under-17s failed to convert their many chances and finished 0-0, severely putting their finals aspirations in jeopardy.

Weston under-15s made hard work of it, winning 3-2 with Thomas Cunningham, Jakeb Brownlow and Connor Galbraith the scorers.

The under-14s got out of jail winning 2-1 with Regan Payne and Lachlan Yates doing enough to wrap up the victory.

Weston’s under-13s won 8-0 with Cody Hurn and Harlan de Jong each scoring a double and Harry Boardman, Corey Holloway, Mackye Gabriel and Kyle Eriksson all getting on the score sheet.

They play Football Mid North Coast on Saturday at home. With only two games left and a bye it’s nearly at the pointy end of the season.

Jets play at  Weston tonight

The Newcastle Jets’ new squad will play against the Jets Youth team (who play in the NPL competition) at Rockwell Automation Park, Weston tonight.

Kick-off is at 7pm with admission free of charge.

It is the Jets’ first trial under new coach Phil Stubbins.

They return next Wednesday against the Weston Bears, in what’s a coup for the locals as they start preparation for the 2014/15 A-League season.