The Camden Haven Redbacks Premier League season has gone from bad to worse in the space of a few weeks after consecutive defeats, this time 2-1 at the hands of the Kempsey Saints. Meanwhile, Wallis Lake continued their undefeated run to stretch their lead to 7 points at the top of the table, leaving the Redbacks to fight for second, third or fourth rather than the minor premiership.
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The return of key players was pivotal to the Havens’ strong start which saw them go to the half time break 1-0 to the good.
It was the Kempsey Saints who came out firing in the second half. A poor defensive read by the Redbacks saw the Kempsey get in behind the defence and after a goal mouth scrap the scores were level. The Redbacks then allowed the frustration of the equaliser to get the better of them and the Kempsey men smelled blood.
The composure they showed in the first half disappeared. Kempsey took the lead almost immediately after defender Riley Jude was sent off, with a deflected goal over Lachlan Peterson's head, and the final score would remain 2-1.
Reserve grade
THE Reds were looking for consecutive wins and took on Kempsey Saints. The Reds made the perfect start when a clearance from the Saints’ backline fell fortuitously at the feet of the Redbacks striker who pumped the ball into the net.
The home team were rewarded five minutes from the break when a quickly taken free kick found an unmarked player with time and space to chip the keeper. At 2-0 the Reds looked in control of the match but the Saints were not going to lie down.
The second half opened with greater intensity with the Saints throwing more players forward looking for goals. They managed to pull one back with 20 minutes to go when a header was slammed in from the edge of the box.
The Reds managed to regroup, and with help of some fresh legs off the bench, held on for a tense 2-1 win. The Saints take on their Port Macquarie namesakes tomorrow at Eden St at 3pm.
The fourth placed Macleay Valley Rangers face a crucial game at home at Dangar St tomorrow against the third placed Tuncurry-Forster Tigers with the finals looming.
First grade kick-off at 3pm.
