Devastation, disappointment, excitement, suspense and joy.
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Those are just five of many possible emotions felt by spectators and players at Optus Park on Saturday as the Macleay Valley Rangers played Port United for the Coastal Premier League Southern Conference trophy.
With the temperature sitting at 23 degrees by the weatherman or woman, conditions were excellent.
Four minutes in, the intensity was foreshadowed as ever-reliable Rangers defender Troy Ward received a yellow card for a physical challenge that simply had to be made.
Throughout the Southern Conference competition Rangers starts to games haven't been their strong point and a sense of déjà vu struck the home crowd as Port United raced out to a 2-0 lead 25 minutes in, just like Taree did way back in round two.
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As always though, an oppositions lead never keeps a great side down and Rangers hit back in the 27th minute mark after an Evan Clarke shot rebounded to Griffin Ryan who slotted his opportunity to make the score 2-1.
Two yellow cards followed for Rangers before the half-time whistle with a big second half ahead.
Macleay Valley came out with an attacking mindset as Ryan had another shot saved before a mistake at the back for Rangers saw United extend their lead to 3-1 in the 49th minute.
An air of suspense and confidence came around the ground as potent Rangers striker Chad Applegate came on two minutes later.
Three minutes after, Ward capped off another brilliant performance and made the score 3-2, scoring from a tight angle.
The nails shortened on watchers on as Rangers continued to fire off shots.
In the 69th minute Ward had another attempt just graze past the post. The 84th minute then saw Clarke shoot - the crowd, and this reporter, sprung to their feet as the ball trickled on the line but the United goal-keeper proved to quick to react, saving the shot.
The referees final whistle blew minutes later to deliver Port a deserved victory with Rangers coach Chris Walker acknowledging the two goal lead proved too much.
"It's disappointing (to lose).. and unfortunate not to get a grand final win at a home venue, unfortunately we gave them that two goal head start and couldn't get back in the match completely," he told the Argus.
"We were fairly confident two one down that we knew we had the goals in us to come back and win.. we just couldn't overturn the deficit."
Walker said the attacking start to the match was expected.
"Obviously they've got some quality on the park, bit of speed and height around the front line, we knew they'd always be an attacking threat."
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