Alex Boyd had an outstanding game in goal.

He pulled off a string of fine saves for Gunnedah.

In attack, the reserves didn’t create many clear-cut chances.

It was a very late strike from Rowan Keeler that got Gunnedah the three points.

He fired the shot low under the keeper.

The pleasing part for coach Alexzanna Budge was the clean sheet.

The side had conceded late goals in the previous game.

Gunnedah’s backs looked solid all day.

They look very settled at the moment.

There are a lot of players available at the moment.

As such, it is hard to keep everyone happy.

But everyone is contributing and the competition is good.

In first grade, Gunnedah FC climbed to the top of the ladder for the first time this year with a very dominant win against the in-form Quirindi.

The surprising part was that the first three goals were scored by defenders.

Opening his first-grade account was Boyd McCormack.

McCormack found himself up field and he pounced on a save that was pushed out into his path and he fired home to make it 1-0.

This certainly set Gunnedah up.

They then created a few good chances, before Justin Lawrence headed home from a corner.

He then got a second header from a fine deep corner which sneaked in at the near post.

With a 3-0 halftime lead, it was important to start the second half well.

And that happened when Alex Boyd pulled another great save off to keep it that way.

Rob Pryor had a few snap shots but he didn’t trouble the keeper.

However, he did get an assist when he chipped Andy Cygan through, who then rounded the keeper to make it 4-0.

That’s the way it stayed.

Alex Boyd in goal has only conceded a dot shot so far in four first-grade games.

He has been outstanding and was only planning on “helping us out” in goal.

The defence was unbelievable again and we now have four or five players playing for three places back there, which is great as a coach.

We’ve scored 16 in the last two games without conceding. Bailey Keeler seems to have cemented himself a regular first-grade start. He puts in a good shift, especially as he is carrying a groin injury.

The other midfielders – Cooke, Williams, Silver and Crowhurst – outplayed their Quirindi opponents.

Rob Pryor also performed well up front.

The side have the week off before returning with a home game against Kootingal on June 16.