THE Macleay Valley Rangers have finished a difficult run of away matches with a 2-1 loss to Tuncurry Tigers on Saturday May 21.
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The bye did Rangers no favors with the team looking flat and off the pace from the get go. The Tigers had the run of the play in the first half, finding space down both flanks and it was only good goalkeeping from Shaun Glover and desperate defense from Jeremy Masters at sweeper that kept Tuncurry at bay.
A foul on the edge of the box saw Tuncurry take a 1-0 lead late in the first half. Glover looked to have the free kick covered when a deflection off the wall saw the ball ricochet into goal. The injection of Daniel Saul in the second half added some flair to Rangers attack and some chances were created but Tuncurry still looked to have the measure of the visitors.
A tactical change saw Masters move into the front line and Tuncurry responded immediately, cutting through the reduced defense to score making it 2-0. Rangers scored a consolation goal when Saul was brought down from behind in the box with Paul Thurlow converting the resultant penalty. But it was too little, too late for Rangers and the final score remained at 2-1.
Reserve grade took the lead in the opening minutes through a thunderous strike from Jake Conomos but could not hold the hosts at bay, finishing level 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes. Players’ player went to Jeremy Masters in first grade and Jake Conomos in reserves.
This week Rangers return to their Danger St home ground to host Port Saints. The two last sides met in the preseason with Rangers taking victory 4-1 and they’ll need a similar result this weekend. First grade kicks off at 3pm with reserves in action from 1.15pm