Kempsey Saints Football Club played Port Saints in another game both grades needed to win.
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First grade got away well with good intensity and ball movement which caught Port out early.
A clever corner kick from Tristan smith found Troy Ward rise to a ball uncontested and put it past the port keeper.
Saints is not used to an early lead and they took their foot of the pedal and it was an evenly contested from the rest of half.
Port got a late penalty from a Kempsey hand ball which had the scores locked at 1-1 come the break.
The second half was fiercely contested with the young referee on debut being called into action. Both teams played with plenty of passion on display and full points were on offer for whoever handled it the better.
It was Kempsey Saints who got the better of play as the half progressed and some great lead up work down the right saw youngster Griffen Ryan put home the second.
It should have been park the bus for Kempsey but too many players pressed forward unnecessarily to let Port have a chance.
The half was extended through breaks to see Port nearly equalise in the 50th minute of the half. Kempsey hung on for full points with the final score of 2–1.
Top pub top player was midfielder Dave Henry and coaches award to Ward and hard working outside back Matt Dimmock.
Reserve grade needed full points against last place Port Saints.
For another week Kempsey looked disjointed and struggled to get any momentum.
The final score of 2-2 was not what Kempsey wanted but this side needs to take their chances and get back to simple team football.
Top pub top player Corey Crotty; Coach’s Award Crotty and MJ Sultana.
Kempsey Saints travel south to face off with the Taree Wildcats in an important contest.
The Saints can take a stranglehold on a top three spot with a victory, while a loss will see them locked in the logjam in the middle of the table.
The match kicks off at Omaru Park at 3pm.
