Adamstown made a positive start to a horror fortnight in which they play five games by downing Wallsend 4-0 at The Gardens on Sunday in Herald Women’s Premier League.
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They secured the inaugural Friendship Cup in the process. The Friendship Cup was developed by Wallsend and Adamstown this year to celebrate the rich histories of both clubs.
The Cup will be determined annually between the two sides over three rounds by accumulative pointscore from results in 14s, 16s, 18s and the elite division.
It is the first piece of silverware for the season and Adamstown already seem to have one hand on the WPL minor premiership - they are 12 points clear of second-placed Warners Bay, who came from behind to down defending champions Merewether 2-1 at John St Oval on Sunday.
Adamstown host third-placed Merewether in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday night before playing Warners Bay away on Saturday.
If they win both matches, they will have an unassailable lead in the race for the minor premiership.
Adamstown led early on Sunday after Clare Cummings scored from close range off a corner then Dobson extended the lead to 2-0 on the 30-minute mark when she slotted past goalkeeper Bek Saunders.
Wallsend came close to bridging the gap early in the second half when Libby Copus-Brown’s free kick hit the crossbar then bounced down into play.
Lauren Allen lobbed Saunders in the 65th minute then Dobson smashed away a penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
It was an entertaining match with both sides passing fluidly and mounting fast attacking raids. But Adamstown were more disciplined in defence.
Rosebud coach Ben Herron was pleased with the performance and felt they were “definitely showing improved signs of respecting the ball a bit more”.
The target on Adamstown’s back continues to grow as each team attempts to become the first to take Rosebud’s scalp this season.
“Every game we play now is another team’s grand final and the girls are aware that they need to keep stepping up to every game,” Herron said.
The game against Wallsend was Adamstown’s first in four weeks and Herron admitted this week was going to be “a tough ask for the girls” as they go head-to-head with the other top sides.
Merewether will be keen to bounce back after forfeiting a 1-0 lead to Warners Bay. Nadja Squires scored in the 80th and 90th minutes to seal the Bay’s win.
Wallsend play South Wallsend Wednesday night. South Wallsend beat Mid North Coast 3-0 on Sunday.
