2 weeks Ago By Max McKinney
Consistent goal-scorers in their usual sport, former A-League player Melina Ayres and her Charlestown Azzuri teammate Madi Gallegos have starred for Cardiff in the Hunter Central Coast AFL, kicking 10 goals between them on Friday. Login or signup to continue reading Making their first appearances in the women's Black Diamond Cup, the duo hit the ground running in Cardiff's 128-0 victory over Warners Bay at Pasterfield Sports Complex. Both long-term soccer players, they showed their cross-code skills in the Anzac Day fixture, Ayres kicking six goals and Gallegos four at the Cameron Park ground.
The two Cardiff debutantes play for Charlestown in the Northern NSW NPLW, where this season Gallegos has kicked nine goals in six games while Ayres has kicked seven in five to help Azzuri to second place. Ayres returned to soccer in the local competition in February after taking a break from the A-League and Newcastle Jets last year. The Victorian is a four-time A-League Women's Championship winner.
"They've been training, so it wasn't a total surprise for us," Cardiff coach Jay Pitto said. "Hopefully they enjoyed it as everyone else did watching them. "The plan is for them to play a few more games and see where it takes us.
"Obviously soccer comes first, and that's the commitment, and we understand that." Cardiff now have a 2-1 record this season, moving to second ahead of the rest of round three on Saturday. Shelby Newton also kicked three goals.
Savannah Newton was named best on ground. Grand finalists and minor premiers in 2024 , Cardiff lost "about a quarter" of last year's side heading into this season, but Pitto is confident they can be among the contenders again. "We definitely have enough talent to challenge," he said.
It was a tough day out for Warners Bay, who remain winless after three games. Following a stirring pre-game remembrance ceremony, Zac Munz kicked five of Warners Bay's 12 goals in the men's match as the Bulldogs 12.11 (83) claimed a 30-point win over Cardiff 8.
5 (53). Warners Bay skipped out to a three-goal lead at 37-18 by the end of the first quarter, but Cardiff hit the front at 42-41 at half-time before the Bulldogs powered home, kicking six goals to one after the main break. Zachary Lauritsen was named best on ground for the Bulldogs.
Warners Bay, now 2-1, move level with leaders Newcastle City, while 1-2 Cardiff sit mid-table. On Saturday, defending premiers Newcastle City host The Entrance-Bateau Bay, while Maitland welcome Terrigal Avoca. Killarney Vale have the bye.
In women's games, Singleton travel to Killarney Vale, while Newcastle City host The Entrance-Bateau Bay. Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport.
Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport. Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport.
Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport. Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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