But after a first-half of missed chances at Jack McLaughlan Oval in round six, frustrations were growing for the defending champions.

The Eagles, though, steadied through a goal to James Scott and a touch of class from former Kiwi international Jeremy Brockie to down the Bears 2-0 and move into fifth spot on nine points. Weston, also on nine points, trail them on for and against in sixth.

"Training was all about giving lads different rotations and combinations in the mid to front third and the lads were brilliant in the week leading up," said Bridges, whose side had scored just six goals in five games.

"But during the first half I was pulling my hair out again because we were creating so much without putting the ball in the back of the net.

"Our biggest issue this season has been how clinical we have not been, but I said to them we've just got to keep doing what we're doing and the moments will come again, and just make sure you put them away and the pressure will ease.

"And I said if we keep a clean sheet, we win the game, and they took everything on board, so I was so proud of them."

Scott, promoted to the starting side, scored in the 48th minute, getting in behind and finishing off a deflection from the Bears defence.

Brockie then finished in the bottom corner in the 60^th minute after a well-worked one-two with Dylan Holz. Bridges said it "was the move of the game".

"Brockie needed that, he's had a penalty miss [against Olympic] and he's come in and wanted to make sure he was doing a job for the team," Bridges said.

"But I said 'you're going to get recognised for goals as well' and he's put everything to bed after some lovely build-up play, so everyone was delighted."

Edgeworth had a chance in the 76th minute after Weston keeper Scott Carter fouled a runaway Brockie. Carter, though, denied Jake McGuinness from the spot.

Also Sunday, Broadmeadow (16 points) remained unbeaten leaders with a 3-0 win over Adamstown (three) at Magic Park.

Jarred Baker scored in the 63^rd minute when he bundled over a Mitch Rooke cross. An unmarked Rooke knocked in James Virgili's cross from close range in the 80^th minute and Sam Haren scored on debut off a rebound from a blocked Rooke free kick in the 84^th.

Late on Sunday, Ty Cousins scored twice as Maitland (15) beat last-placed Valentine (one) 4-0 at Cooks Square Park to move to second.

The Magpies led via an own goal in the 27^th minute before strikes from Cousins in the 45^th and 65^th put the hosts in control. Valentine skipper Joel Wood was sent off for hitting the linesman with the ball in the 81^st and Melmeth made it 4-0 with a powerful shot in injury time.

On Saturday, Newcastle Olympic (12) came from a goal down to beat Lambton Jaffas (12) 2-1 at Edden Oval.

Scott Pettit smashed in the scraps from a Luke Remington cross in the 17^th minute to put the hosts ahead. Jed Horney equalised off a Rhys Cooper cross in the 71^st minute and Jared Muller scored the winner from the spot in the 78^th after former Olympic player Reece Papas fouled Kane Treble.

The Jaffas lost Andrew Pawiak to a scored yellow card deep in injury time.

On Friday night, Charlestown (seven points) downed Lake Macquarie (four) 1-0 as both sides finished with 10 men at Macquarie Field.

Harry Frendo scored from the top of the box after a corner in the 39^th minute.

Two minutes later, Lake Macquarie's Nick Cowburn took exception to a challenge, bumping Jackson Frendo from behind. Cowburn was given a straight red card and Charlestown's Zac Lloyd was also marched for his role in the ensuing melee.