Kempsey Saints Football Club travelled to Wingham last Saturday to take on the locals in an important game for both clubs.
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With Wingham currently in last spot and desperate to avoid relegation, their last few home games are where they stand the best chance of winning.
Saints were keen to get full points after their sixth draw this season in the last round.
The small Wingham pitch was in its best condition, however that belies how difficult the tight field is to play on.
With the ground dropping towards each sideline and the by-lines, attempting to play football with width is difficult.
First grade got away to a shaky start and Wingham tested the Saints defence with some long balls down the centre of the park.
In the next 10 minutes the hosts repeatedly tried the long ball every time they gained possession.
As Saints’ communication improved they were able to counter the tactic.
It was the visitors who settled into playing football the earliest and at the 18-minute mark it was their two outside backs who combined to score the first goal.
Shaun Fraser made an overlapping run down the left and his cross into the top of the box found an unmarked Daniel Baker who volleyed Saints into the lead.
Wingham lifted from this and again tested Saints’ defence with some cleverly placed long balls and i n the 25th minute one of these soared into the Saints’ right corner, and a freakish outside of the foot chip over the advancing keeper levelled the score at 1-1.
Realising the importance of full points, the vistors turned up the pressure, playing the better style of football despite the difficult and blustery conditions.
They were again rewarded, late in the half, when a clever ball into the box saw outside midfielder Jarrod Witheridge head in Saints’ second goal.
Half time saw coach Jason Fisher warn the squad about the dangers of the long ball and asked for a continued commitment to taking full points home.
The second half was more of the same with Saints playing the better football but unable to score and Wingham pressuring with the long ball. Final score 2-1.
Saints took the full points while learning how difficult a trip to Wingham can be.
Reserve grade dominated their game with possession but made their hopes of making the semi-finals much more difficult with an inexplicable 1-0 loss.
Wingham caught the visitors out in the first five minutes then resolutely defended their 1-0 lead.
An indication of the amount of possession Saints had, keeper Mitch Clarke touched the ball only twice in the second half.
Despite the glut of possession, shots and corners it was a despondent squad at game’s end when what had occurred sunk in.
Saints now turn to the second round of the local derby against West Kempsey side MVR tomorrow.
Saints are struggling with season- ending injuries to Dylan Whalen and Toby O’Brien and with Sam Mahoney, Alistair Sinclair and Jacob Lyttle unable to complete training this week it looks like a tough day ahead.
Saints will look to even more youngsters, to bolster numbers, in what is already the youngest premier league squad in the competition.
It has been an impressive season so far, despite their lack of experience in senior football, but with MVR holding a monopoly on derby results and with their squad full of experience, it is up to Saints to match them tomorrow.