The Macleay Valley Rangers overcame multiple changes to their first grade side to earn a 3-1 victory over the Forster/Tuncurry Tigers and advance in the FFA Cup.
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“The six reserve grade players we had come into the side played really well,” first grade coach Dean Riordan said.
“It took us a while to get going and there were periods of the game when we were flat but the overall performance was solid.”
Both sides struggled throughout the opening 20 minutes to put their stamp on the game but the game came to life with a quick succession of goals for either team.
A crossed in free-kick found an unmarked Justin Crockford at the back post, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
The Tigers levelled the scores three minutes later.
“It was a soft goal and the type of cheap stuff I am trying to get out of our game,” Riordan said.
The match was an arm wrestle heading into half-time and it continued into the second period.
Riordan brought on Sam Applegate with 15-minutes remaining in the match and he immediately changed the tempo for Rangers.
Applegate made a solo run down the right edge, beat two defenders before cutting the ball back to Josh Tynan and he calmly slotted it passed the keeper.
The match was clinched when Crockford grabbed a second, beating two defenders and scoring a goal from outside the 18-yard box.
The Rangers face a side yet to be determined in a round 4 FFA Cup match at Coffs Harbour on Saturday May 13.
