In a first-half arm-wrestle that left the scoreboard blank, the possibility of Beresfield upsetting the natural order of the competition was well and truly alive.

But a revitalised Maitland camp took control in the second half, turning two scoring opportunities into real figures.

The local derby made for a thrilling spectacle, with Maitland waiting until late in the match to put the nails in the Beresfield coffin, doing so through a striking header from Anthony Daley.

Maitland proved their superiority in fitness would be their drawcard for the 2008 season, producing both second-half opportunities by storming through a lazy Hawks defence.

Beresfield, although they produced a number first-half opportunities, lacked both the imagination and speed to create them late in the game.

Maitland coach Anthony Richards was reassured by the efforts of his men and maintained his side did not take Beresfield for granted coming into the match.

“It was a really good display today. It doesn’t matter where Beresfield are on the ladder, they are always hard to beat,” Richards said.

Richards was also certain that physical stamina was what got his team across the line and knew his young squad would mean a positive future for his club.

“I think we had them on fitness today. There are some blokes in our team with really good engines. That was probably the difference today,” he said.

“Some of these guys are only in high school as well, and we still have the really experienced guys. This is going to be really good for the club.”

In other round six matches Thornton Park failed to fire away from home after being downed 3-0 by Singleton Strikers on the road, Belmont Swansea overcame Lambton Jaffas 2-0, Cessnock Hornets and Wallsend Red Devils recorded a 2-2 draw while victory smelt sweet for Adamstown, with the Rosebuds sneaking home with a 1-0 win over Dudley Redhead.

The results see Adamstown at the top of the table, with Singleton, Maitland and Belmont filling out the top four positions.