The Macleay Valley Rangers recorded their sixth victory in as many games, but their latest has come at a cost with Captain Paul Thurlow succumbing to a hamstring injury.
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Thurlow left the field with his side leading 2-0 in the first half but first grade coach Dean Riordan said he will miss his captain’s experience heading into two tough matches in successive weeks.
Rangers face the defending minor and major premiership winners Wallis Lakes at home on Saturday before they take on the current second placed side Port Saints the following week.
“Paul will be a big loss for us heading into those important matches but we have plenty of depth this year,” Riordan said.
“He might be gone for a few weeks, it has been niggling him for a while but he heard it pop which isn’t a good sign.”
The Rangers earned a comfortable 4-0 victory over the winless Redbacks on Saturday.
Macleay Valley broke the deadlock in the second minute of the match after midfielders Sam Potter and Tyler Wyatt combined to put Justin Crockford away down the right hand side.
Crockford cut the ball back to Wyatt who took a shot at goal but the mishit turned into a cross as Sam Potter headed the ball into the back of the net.
The Rangers kept the pressure on the Redbacks and doubled their advantage in the 15th minute.
Crockford was again on the receiving end of a through ball and this time he used his pace and power to make his way into the 18-yard box and put it past the keeper.
Thurlow limped from the field and was replaced by Adric Bobbin but it didn’t impact their defence on the day as their keeper Shaun Glover was never tested.
Daniel Saul was rewarded for his strong performance with a goal heading into half-time.
The midfielder pounced on a loose ball outside the box and curled it into the top left corner.
The scoring was wrapped up early in the second half when Saul grabbed his second.
The Redbacks weren’t focused on finding a miracle comeback and instead had a defensive approach to the rest of the match.
Riordan said it was a strong team performance and pleased the side is scoring goals but was most impressed by his side’s defence.
“We aren’t conceding those silly goals anymore,” Riordan said.
“We have only allowed one goal over the last three weeks.”
The Macleay Valley Rangers sit on the top of the competition table with a maximum 21 competition points.
They have the best attack and defence in the competition with 23 goals scored and only four goals conceded.
Macleay Valley host Wallis Lakes at home on Saturday.
