The Macleay Valley Rangers were dominated for the majority of their match against Port United but they showed they have the will to win on their way to a 3-1 victory.
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“It was like we robbed the bank and got away with it,” Rangers first grade coach Dean Riordan said.
“I've never been involved in a match where we were dominated so much and ended up earning the three competition points.
“It was like they had an extra three players out there, they were everywhere.”
The difference on the day was the goal keeping.
Rangers keeper Shaun Glover produced dozens of saves on his way to a man of the match performance while his opposition keeper conceded three goals despite only being called into action six times.
“We could have easily been down by six goals at half-time but Shaun produced some great saves,” Riordan said.
“We only got out of our half once in the first half.”
The Rangers were more urgent and earned a corner early in the second 45-minutes but Port United cleared their defensive line and knocked it forward to their striker who drew defenders Blake Pietsch and Adric Bobbin.
The striker found a teammate in the middle who finally got the ball by Glover to open the scoring.
Riordan thought the “flood gates would open” but Glover continued to keep his side in the contest with a number of classy saves.
Sam Applegate and Justin Crockford was substituted onto the field and the two helped create opportunities for the league leaders.
Andrew Potter made a rare advance with the ball for the Rangers and he cut the ball back to his brother Sam Potter and he fired a shot at goal.
Port United’s keeper attempted to stop the shot but the ball went between his arms and into the back of the net.
With the scores level despite dominating the match, Port United’s heads were dropped and the momentum began to swing in favour of the away side.
Justin Crockford showcased his pace down the left edge before he cut back inside, beat his defender and crossed the ball low into the box.
A Port Unite defender was first to the ball but his attempted clearance led to an own goal.
Rangers sat back on their 2-1 lead and Glover was again feeling the pressure of United’s shots at goal.
He was up for the challenge and Rangers managed to put the icing on the cake in the final minute with Crockford repeating his earlier effort and another own goal being scored.
Rangers have a bye next weekend.
