Aside from two early chances for the defending premiers, the Belswans were in control for much of the first half, with wild weather and physical challenges reigning at Blacksmiths Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The home side’s break eventually came through one of their new mid-season signings – a handball in the box gave Klaudon Ahmataj the chance to take Belmont Swansea one goal into the lead, and he calmly slotted it home from the spot.

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It was just minutes from the half break when the Belswans struck again, this time through Joel Shearer’s corner kick that drifted straight from the set-piece into the goal mouth.

Despite heading into the sheds with a 2-nil lead, Belmont Swansea were powerless against the Cookers’ rapid-fire return to level-pegging in the second half, with both Jarryd Johnson and Alex Gillespie beating ‘keeper Ben Parmenter through headers.

Although both sides of the half had seen three goals in quick succession, the rest of the matched proved fruitless for the two developing rivals, and both departed Blacksmiths with a point apiece.

The 2-all draw moved Belmont Swansea into sixth place, while Cooks Hill’s dominant lead atop the League One table has now narrowed to just five points after twelve rounds.

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Elsewhere on the weekend, West Wallsend ended their four game losing streak in emphatic fashion, putting three past Singleton at Howe Park. Jarrod Olivieri, Bailey Jensen and  Brad Andrews all scored for the Bluebells in their first win at the Strikers’ home field in five years.

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On Saturday, Thornton retained control of second in the standings with a 3-2 win over Cessnock after a dramatic finale at Thornton Park. The Redbacks dropped behind in the match with just five minutes to go as Isaac Peek scored the Hornets’ second, but Cessnock’s former player Wade Attewell levelled the score in the dying moments of the match.

That wasn’t the last moment of the derby game however – Jye MacKellar’s bullet header right on the stroke of full-time put the Redbacks back in the driver’s seat and saw them claim the 3-2 win off the back of their comeback.

Finally, South Cardiff remained in third place with a 4-1 win over New Lambton, while Wallsend and Toronto’s match was delayed due to wet weather. Kahibah had the bye round.

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TABLE: Cooks Hill (25), Thornton (20), South Cardiff (18), Singleton (17), West Wallsend (16), Cessnock, Belmont Swansea (13), Wallsend* (12), Kahibah*, New Lambton (9), Toronto Awaba* (8). [​*game in hand]