Weston Bears Football Club -

McDermott snares hat-trick
By Michael Hartshorn

A Gary McDermott hat-trick secured Weston Bears a 3-all draw in their opening National Premier League clash against Newcastle Jets Youth on Sunday...

Read the full article online at the Maitland Mercury

The U19s got the day and season underway in warm conditions and in a tight game went down 1-2.

The U22s were out of the traps very quickly with great enthusiasm and this was reflected in a strong 4-0 win and a song to sing.

For 1st grade the young Jets have always been a tough encounter. Weston opened with some slick football and started creating a number of chances with Mick Ryan and Gary McDermott causing problems, forcing saves and hitting the crossbar.

However it was the young Jets who took the lead after finding space and time in the box.

It wasn't long before Weston replied and it was through McDermott who slotted home after Mick Ryan headed back across the goal.

Minutes later it was McDermott again. This time he started the move with a sublime turn in his half and a sweeping switch pass to the right. He followed this with a run into the Jets box and was on hand to slot home the keepers parry from a Nathan Morris shot. 2-1 is how it went to the sheds.

The second half started well enough for both sides but it was an unfortunate deflection that saw the Jets equalise. Weston continued to chip away and it was Gary McDermott again, who was on the end of a lovely move and cross, who strongly bulged the net and give the Bears a 3-2 lead.

With the Jets pressing they won a penalty when one of their players took a tumble in the box. The resulting kick sent Benn Kelly the wrong way to level the scores.

What followed for the remaining minutes was both sides looking for a win and the standard moments of squeaky bum time until the final whistle for a 3-3 result.

A full replay of the game can be viewed below...