THE Coastline Credit Union Macleay Valley Rangers have all but missed out on claiming this year’s minor premiership with a surprise 1-0 loss to Old Bar Barbarians at Dangar St last Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The loss has pretty much handed Wallis Lakes its first minor premiership.
Wallis Lakes needs to beat a struggling Port FC at home to win the title.
The Rangers now have to beat or draw against third placed Port United at Port’s home ground, Dixie Park, tomorrow, to secure second spot and a home game in the first week of the semi-finals.
Last Saturday’s game saw both clubs battle it out for the first Coastline Credit Union Cup as they are major sponsors of both clubs.
For the fourth week in a row the first grade side had three forced changes with Chris Walker and Chad Applegate and Sam Potter unavailable.
Josh Wilson and Danny De bono took their spots in defence and attack and club captain Steve Morn also returned.
Old Bar won a hard-fought game with their players not giving Rangers anytime on the ball. This led to bad passes and wrong options.
The half-time score was nil-all with neither keeper really tested, which was a concern for Rangers coach Dean Riordan.
Rangers did come out of the sheds and started to dominate the play but just couldn’t find the back of the net in the second-half.
With 15 minutes left to play, a cracking left footed shot from Old Bar’s striker gave Rangers keeper Shaun Glover no chance.
The visitors hung on to the lead and defended in numbers to score their first win over Rangers in a number of years.
The win secured their spot in the 2014 competition and away from the dreaded relegation battle.
The Great Northern Hotel players’ player went to Paul Thurlow with two points to Morn and one point to young Jack Shaw.
The shining light at the moment is the reserve grade side that keeps winning under enormous pressure from losing players to first grade.
Daniel Saul again was the hero with a hat-trick of goals in the 3-nil win.
Kurt Riordan who is in good form took the players’ player award from Saul and one point to Ben Livermore.
The club will be missing three players for tomorrow’s game, the last round of the season. Andrew Potter, Macky Lawrence and Darren Morn are unavailable.
Applegate, Walker and Josh Tynan return to a must win team.
Kick off is 1.15pm for reserve grade and 3pm first at Dixie Park.
Rangers ladies also suffered a surprise 4-0 loss to Wauchope, they now need to dig deep against Kempsey Saints at Kemp St this Saturday to stay alive in the finals.
The Col Willis coached 17s-18s side started the weekend off with a loss to Kempsey Saints 1-0 to give Saints the minor premiership.
Darren Morn’s 17s-18s had a 3-0 win against Port Saints to put them in fourth spot while Dean Riordan’s 15s had a 3-2 win against Camden Haven 16s to take out the 2013 minor premiers.
This win came at a cost as goal keeper Kurt Prosper broke his arm.
Darren Morn’s team play their first semi against Kempsey Saints tonight at Kemp St kicking off at 6.15pm while Col Willis plays Port United at Dangar St kicking off at 7.45pm while the under 15s have the bye.