Josh Purtell played his 150^th game while Kayne Cassidy has notched up 100 games in the powder blue, black and white strip.

Purtell started playing for the Strikers in 2007 at 16-years-old after first kicking a ball with the Cootamundra Junior Soccer club at age six.

He entered the first grade side during a glory period under coach Sam Stedman with the team making four consecutive grand finals. 

During the ensuing ups and downs he maintained his commitment to the Strikers enjoying every minute with the club.

This year is proving another positive one for the club with Purtell saying the Strikers have been building for the last three years to be in their current position on top of the Football Wagga ladder. 

Their toughest competition is likely to come from the likes of Wagga super-sides Henwood Park and Lake Albert, however Purtell is convinced the Strikers can continue winning. 

“We have had a system in place for a couple of years that everyone believes in,” Purtell said. 

This is a sentiment backed by teammate Cassidy. 

Cassidy, who spent 10 years away in the Navy, only returned to the side last year. 

A specialist goal keeper, his entry to the team on the back of known keeper Mick Simons’ retirement has been a blessing for the club. 

“I was put in goals at 15 and just loved it,” Cassidy said. 

Like Purtell, he is positive about the team’s prospects this year.

“On paper we don’t have the quality of some of the Wagga clubs but we are happy to keep flying under the radar and so far we have been winning games,” Cassidy said. 

To honour their milestone games last weekend, teammates created a guard of honour for Purtell and Cassidy to run onto O’Connor Park through. 

They ended their day with a 7-nil win over Tumut and will look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Riverina Nomads this weekend at a location to be confirmed depending on the state of grounds after recent inclement weather.