Neeson struck twice in the first half to give the Scorpions a 2-nil lead at the break. Hayden Davidson made it a one goal game about 15 minutes into the second half, but Neeson restored the Scorpion's two goal advantage with a neat finish for his hat-trick.

Running onto a nice cross he took the ball down the right wing before chipping it across the face of the goal and behind FC keeper Mick Gay.

It was an important goal with FC coming at them and took a bit of the wind out of their sails.

Tom Smith then sealed what Scorpions president Joe Campbell said was an important result for them with around 15 minutes remaining.

"I think it was really important after yesterday's performance to get our bounce back," he said.

Not that they played that badly in the 5-1 loss.

After having a player sent off early in the game they were really up against it.

"Norths are a quality team and they really took advantage of us going a man down," he said.

Campbell noted on Sunday the intensity was there from the whistle. There was also a crispness about their ball movement.

"We really controlled that game," he said.

"Something we spoke about with the boys was going feet to feet. FC have a lot of big bodies and we wanted to run them around."

They asked the FC defence a lot of questions, Neeson proving a handful outwide.

Their best and fairest last season, Campbell said he has been one of their best this season.

"He's just got that energy, he's quick and he can score goals," he said.

Liam Georkas was also good up front, Campbell also singling out Tom Campbell and Reece Burton in the midfield, especially after the work they had to do on Saturday.

It was also a weekend of mixed fortunes for FC, who despite the loss remain on top of the table.

On Saturday they defeated East Armidale 3-nil, although they "weren't brilliant" then either, coach Greg Bartlett said.

"We're just off our game for whatever reason. I can't quite put my finger on it but we have to make some changes," he said.

"Some blokes are trying and some aren't."

In both games on the weekend they were guilty of not finishing their chances.

Against Easts Bartlett counted four or five times they hit the post.

That isn't his only frustration.

One of the strengths of their game last season they aren't knocking the ball around with the same meticulousness while defensively they are lacking that clinicalness.

Already this season they have conceded the half the number of goals they did the whole season last year.

That said, Bartlett thought Ross Price and Zac Kam were really good for them at the back against the Scorpions. He also made mention of Gay, who was playing injured and couldn't really use one arm.

In Sunday's other results Oxley Vale Attunga and Demon Knights drew 2-all and North Companions defeated East Armidale 5-nil. For DK the draw followed a 2-1 win over North Companions in Tamworth on Saturday.