The Kempsey Saints Football Club will enjoy a historic first this weekend, with all four senior grades to contest semi-final football for the first time in the club’s history.
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The Saints women’s and men’s teams have continued deep into their semi-final series and will play this weekend for a spot in the grand final, while both Premier League grades have secured a top five finish at the culmination of the regular season.
Saints’ director of coaching Kevin Sinclair said it was the first time all four grades had reached the post-season.
“I think it comes down to the depth in our club, we’ve got around 400 players, and we’ve got some good coaches on board,” Kevin said.
The two Premier League sides headed to Wallis Lakes last weekend needing a win in both grades to secure semi-final berths.
First grade was hoping to create a club record of nine games without a loss, coach Jason Fisher asking for discipline to be shown in defence.
They achieved this, hanging on for a 2-1 win and secured fourth spot and a well-earned semi-final spot.
Reserve grade needed a win to guarantee a spot otherwise they would be relying on other results, with the side going down in a tight match 2-1. After an anxious few minutes the scores came through that Port Saints had been beaten, meaning the Saints had held fifth spot and a chance to go for back to back grand final appearances.
Both grades will now take on the Taree Wildcats at Eden St on Saturday.
Saints Ladies finished second in their competition and got the first week of their semi-final series off. Last Saturday saw them take on unbeaten Port United for a spot in the grand final. Coach Matt Baker had his side well prepared and the team responded in a close and hard fought game. A period of extra time ended with United taking honours, 2-1.
Saints will now take on local rivals Hornets for a spot in the grand final at Eden St on Saturday.
The Northern Men’s League Saints Green side completed the club’s appearances in the semi-finals of every senior competition. The Saints secured a grand final spot after rolling last year’s premiers the Willawarrin Yowies in a tense Saturday match, 2-1.
They’ll now take on Wauchope in the final at South West Rocks this Saturday.
