The Maitland Magpies have continued their domination of the First Division Soccer League with their seventh win in a row against the Cessnock Hornets on Sunday.

The Magpies won 4-1 and controlled the game from the outset with an early goal to Justin Broadley from a remarkable free kick that left the Cessnock keeper clutching at air.

The game was put beyond doubt with two brilliantly headed goals from livewire striker Anthony Ford.

Ford scored a goal in each half and was unlucky not to claim a hat-trick on several occasions late in the game.

Coach Anthony Richards was pleased with his team’s display and the fact that his players didn’t let their opposition off the hook.

“It was a terrific result, we kept the ball and were very patient and played relentlessly,” Richards said.

Richards credited the win not only to Ford, who now sits equal first on the goal scorers’ list, but to his two tireless defenders.

“Jordan Elford and Josh West really set the win up for us and controlled the Cessnock strikers who are up there with the best in the competition,” Richards said.

The other goal scorer for the Magpies was captain Scott Daly who was everywhere in attack and defence for Maitland.

Daley provided the Magpies, who lead the competition in all grades, with breathing room after Cessnock had scored their first and was looking dangerous.

Richards knows that the burden rests completely on his players if they want to claim the minor premiership.

“The only way we’re not going to get first spot is if we don’t take our next two games seriously and we showed today that that’s not going to happen,” Richards said.

The Magpies go on the road in the final two games of the regular season and must claim full points against the Lambton Jaffas and Wallsend Red Devils in order to be assured top spot.

In other round 16 results Beresfield United jumped off the bottom of the ladder with a 3-2 win over Lambton, Adamstown Rosebuds beat the Singleton Strikers 4-1, Thornton Park won 2-1 against Wallsend and Dudley Redhead and Belmont Swansea played out a 1-all draw at Lydon Field.