Wallsend led Merewether 1-0 at Myamblah Oval before United took the ascendancy and secured the three competition points with a 3-2 win. The Red Devils rallied in the final five minutes to bridge the gap to one goal after Keely Gawthrop spotted shot-stopper Alison Logue off her line and scored from nearly halfway.

Thornton worked tirelessly to hold Warners Bay out in their match with the competition heavyweights at John Street Oval and took an early lead on the counter through Katie Smee. But the defending champions levelled before half-time and scored two late goals in succession to take the win.

Merewether and Warners Bay both moved to six points on the competition ladder with the former taking top spot with a superior goal difference.

Adamstown coach Ben Herron described his side’s performance as “horrible” in a 1-1 draw with South Wallsend at Adamstown Oval, while Wolves coach Gary Wilson said the performance would be a confidence boost for his charges after they opened the season with a demoralising 6-0 loss to Merewether.

Mid North Coast had the bye.

Warners Bay host Wallsend on Wednesday night in their rescheduled round-two match. 

South Wallsend and Mid North Coast both have double-headers next weekend. They play each other in Taree on Saturday. On Sunday, South Wallsend are at home to Warners Bay while Mid North Coast host Adamstown at Port Macquarie.

Results:

Merewether 3 (own goal, Rhali Dobson, Lori Depczynski) defeated Wallsend 2 (Libby Copus-Brown, Keely Gawthrop). Half-time: Merewether led 2-1. At Myamblah Oval.

Adamstown 1 (Emily Frost) drew with South Wallsend 1 (Gemma Pearce). Half-time: 1-1. At Adamstown Oval;

Warners Bay 3 (Nadja Squires, Georgia Minors, Jenna Kingsley) defeated Thornton 1 (Katie Smee). Half-time: 1-1. At John Street Oval.

Mid North Coast had the bye.

Points table: Merewether 6, Warners Bay 6, Mid North Coast 3, Wallsend 0, Adamstown 1, South Wallsend 1, Thornton 0.