Barnstoneworth FC consolidated their spot at the top of the Orange District Football Association's A-grade competition with a strong 6-1 win over Ex-Services FC.
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Goals from Grant Kosch, Jack McGregor, Jeremy Boulton, Nathan Blandford and two from Ben Giameli delivered the win in front of a good crowd at the Bernie Stedman field.
Ex-Services kept up the pressure throughout the match, with a well-placed pass from Max Kaye to his brother Joseph allowing Ex-Services to notch a consolation goal.
The win puts Barnies FC three points clear atop the ODFA table, with Cowra moving into second place after a 4-1 win over Barnies FC's stablemates Barnstoneworth Saints.
Hitting the road to play at Cowra's Edgell Park, Saints started well. A goal from John Chapman Mortimer opened up a one goal lead at half-time for the Barnies side.
But with a shortage of subs, and an injury to Talor Sims, the Saints defence started to tire and Cowra finished the stronger of the two sides, putting away four goals to finish the match 4-1.
Club-mates Barnies United handed an even bigger 7-0 defeat to Waratah United .
Captain Matt Downer was encouraged by the victory.
"It was the teams' first complete 90 minute effort of the year," Downer said.
It was a good solid performance by the whole team. Everyone played their part.
- Barnstoneworth United skipper Matt Downer
"We controlled the game from start to finish, got the result and the clean sheet to boot."
Goals from Luke Masotti, Kynan Lane, Harry Issacs, Lachie Pete, Will Cooney, Mitch Jacobs and an own goal brought up the seven-point tally.
"It was a good solid performance by the whole team. Everyone played their part," Downer said.
Meanwhile, Millthorpe Tigers and Waratah FC ground out a hard-fought 2-all draw at Waratahs Sportsground in Orange.
Millthorpe were hunting for just their second win of the season, but held reigning premiers Waratah to the draw, and will be looking to assault the top of the ladder in the coming week.
In the ODFA's B-grade at Cowra the newly named Barnstoneworth Beyond Blue B-Grade side noted a solid 6-0 win over the local side.
Three goals from Chris Davis, two to Brad Lynch and one from Damon Moses delivered the win.
"Cowra never gave up and played well to the final whistle," Barnies captain Matt Barrt said.
The team at the top of the B-Grade table, Barnstonworth Rangers struggled with a tough match against Waratah Wolfpack on Saturday.
Under-strength, with a number of key players on the injured list and away, Rangers put on a good performance. A cracking strike in the first half by Dylan Halls, was followed in the second half by a goal from Fabien Leonard off a brilliant assist from Tori Worboys.
With the game only one minute old, new signing Shepherd Shambira got onto a well-placed cross from winger Harley Smith to score.
The final result, a two-all draw.
Ex-Services' FC Bobcats took out a 3-2 win over their clubmates on Saturday while KWS defeated CYMS Green.
The latest C-grade round kicked off under the lights on Friday night at Brabham Stadium.
Barnies United and Kinross ground out a nil-all draw until half-time, with subs and supporters shuddering on the sidelines, and Barnies battling to cope with their opponents' extra speed.
Barnies striker, Wes Miller opened the scoring ten minutes into the second half, getting onto a well-passed through-ball to find the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
The result was put beyond doubt 15 minutes later when midfielder Ben Fitzpatrick followed in a missed shot to slot the ball away. 2-0 at the final whistle.
Club-mates Denley Moor got off to the best start in their match against Waratah Eagles. With the game only one minute old, new signing Shepherd Shambira got onto a well-placed cross from winger Harley Smith to score.
Tahs struggled after their keeper went off injured, Denley's Phil Bennett ran onto a Chris Cameron through ball to score. Denley emptied their subs bench, but found Harley Smith found enough fuel in the tank late in the match to score, brining up a 3-0 final scoreline.
Brighouse continue to show signs of improvement despite going down 3-1 to CYMS Gold on Saturday.
The green-and-whites were unlucky not to score in the first half, but headers from CYMS' Hank Duncan and Ben Churchland and another from open play brought the score to 3-0.
Brighouse Central defender Josh Towns set the scene for a consolation goal when he stormed through the middle of the park. The through ball to midfielder Andrew Pansini clinically finished off to take Pansini's season tally to two goals.
