Merewether coach Cass Koppen described United’s controversial come-from-behind 2-1 win over defending Herald Women’s Premier League champions Warners Bay with just 10 men at Myamblah Oval on Sunday as “character-building”.

United were reduced to 10 when goalkeeper Alison Logue was red-carded in the 30th minute for alleged violent conduct in a challenge on Jenna Kingsley in the box.

Nadja Squires converted from the penalty spot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead going to the break.

It was one of three penalties in the match with all goals scored from the spot.

Grace Macintyre put Merewether on level terms around the 60th minute and Jamee Ellis gave the hosts the lead with 20 minutes left in the at times heated match.

“At half-time I said the expectation was still three points, nothing has changed and we’ve still got the team to do it,” Koppen said.

“I said if we could pull it off with 10 players and 1-0 down, then the season would be ours to lose.

“Last year we were bitterly disappointed to have lost to them in the semi-finals and there were also some other games where we didn’t get the results we were capable of. This year we have set some targets for ourselves and I think this result shows what we are capable of.”

Merewether and Warners Bay both have nine points at the top of the table but United have a superior goal difference and can extend their lead with a win over Adamstown in a rescheduled match on Wednesday night.

Former Jets W-League player Stacey Day played the last 20 minutes of South Wallsend’s 5-0 win over Thornton at Walker Fields on Sunday. Day has had two knee reconstructions in the past two-and-a-half years and the return to the field was a long time coming.

Wallsend drew 2-2 with Mid North Coast at The Gardens.

Lions back winning in Greater Open Championship

Three-time defending champions Souths Lions bounced back from their shock opening-round loss with a convincing 49-33 win over BNC Whanau in Greater Open Championship round two on Saturday.

The Lions were thrashed 68-31 by competition newcomers West Leagues Balance in the first round. West continued their winning ways with a 56-26 victory over Maryville Tavern on Saturday.

Forsythes Business Advisors won 38-29 over Junction and Souths Pride recorded their first win in the top league by beating Nova Thunder 48-37.

The next round of the championship is not until April 29.

Hunters stage fightback but go down in Waratah Basketball League

The Newcastle Hunters paid the price for a poor start and an inferior shooting percentage in a 71-66 loss to Sutherland Sharks at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday.

The Hunters trailed 19-10 at the first break but outscored their rivals in both the second and third quarters, closing the gap to 34-29 by half-time then 54-50 heading into the final quarter.

But coach Mark Gledson said they just “couldn’t quite break the barrier”.

“We just kept on chasing and would get back into the game then they’d get away again,” he said.

“We were in front in the third quarter by four or six points and held that lead for five minutes and 32 seconds … our shooting percentage let us down.”

Newcastle’s next outing is against Bankstown Bruins at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on April 22. The match is the first of a weekend double-header at home and is also expected to be the first appearance of Olympic legend Suzy Batkovic.

Defending champs take down Hawks in BDAFL Women

Nelson Bay proved too good for Cardiff, winning 9.10 (64) to 1.0 (6) in round two of the women’s Black Diamond AFL on Saturday.

Pippa Smyth kicked three goals and Kaitlyn Douglass and star centre Sophie Balcombe provided two goals each. Jessica Day kicked Cardiff’s only goal.

Warners Bay downed Maitland 6.8 (44) to 4.6 (30) in a close encounter.

Rachel Evans and Liz Brown kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs while Casey Elkins was the Saints’ only multiple goalkicker, scoring two.

Warners Bay’s best were Dianne Crep, Caitlin Wolfe, Hannah Gow, Emma Chester, Kate Booth and Kate Bartlem

Maitland’s best players were Felicity Millen, Elkins, Jade Bassett, Jacqui Dudgeon, Anna Fraser and Amanda Smith.

Gosford thrashed Singleton 10.12 (72) to 0.2 (2), Killarney Vale downed Lake Macquarie 7.6 (48) to 3.2 (20) and Wyong Lakes were way too good for newcomers Muswellbrook in a 12.17 (89) to 0.0 (0) win.

On Friday night, Newcastle City continued their strong early-season from with a 155-point thumping over sister club the Newcastle Novas at Tulkaba Oval in Teralba.

City won 23.23 (161) to 1.0 (6).

Sarah Halvorsen, who backed up to play in Merewether United’s WPL win on Sunday, kicked six goals for City. Ashlee Hayllar and Meaghan MacDonald chipped inwith three goals each.

Send your local women’s sports information to r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.