The Macleay Valley Rangers have bounced back to form earning a 3-0 victory at home against the Forster-Tuncurry Tigers on Saturday.
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The win also locks up a top two spot for the Rangers and they are guaranteed a home final and a second chance in the finals series.
Port United, who sit in third position, trail the Rangers by seven competition points with two rounds remaining.
It was a much-improved performance from Macleay Valley but coach Keith Morn still wants more from his side.
“We were better than last week but still let ourselves down at times,” Morn said.
“There were periods where we dominated possession but would turn the ball over, put ourselves under pressure and relinquish all of our good work.”
The match started with the Rangers on top and they were rewarded in the 14th minute when Daniel Saul latched onto a loose ball in the box and pushed it past the Tigers’ goalkeeper.
The two sides exchanged chances throughout the contest but neither side was able to capitalise until late in the second half.
Substitute Justin Crockford made his presence felt as he received the ball inside the Tigers’ half and dribbled past multiple defenders before he fired the ball into the back of the net.
It wasn’t long until the Rangers iced the game as John Henry ran onto a through ball and picked his spot well.
While it was a positive turnaround for his side, Morn admits his side will need to lift to another level to avoid a repeat of last year.
The Rangers started 2017 in fine form and had locked up the minor premiership with three rounds remaining.
Unfortunately the side lost its momentum and bowed out of the finals series after consecutive losses.
“I don’t want a repeat of last year, we need to return to how we were playing at the start of the year,” Morn said.
“The effort was there on Saturday but we need to be more consistent throughout the entire game.”
Macleay Valley will have an opportunity to make a statement this Saturday when they face off with the competition leaders Wallis Lake in a battle between the top two sides.
Wallis Lake celebrated a 3-2 victory when the sides met earlier this season and another close encounter is expected.
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