MAKING a more positive start to matches will be the focus of the Old Bar Barbarians as they head into the second round of the Mid North Coast Premier League, starting with a clash with Port Saints at Port tomorrow (Saturday).

The Barbarians began the competition with a 5-0 drubbing of the Saints last time the sides met so tomorrow will be a chance for Old Bar to test a new structure and more aggressive attitude from the outset.

Coach Mike Parsons said the side received a 'football lesson' when beaten 4-0 by competition front-runners Macleay Valley but remained upbeat, saying there were plenty of positives to take out of the loss.

The Barbarians were down 2-0 just minutes into the encounter and this was an area the side needed to work on, Parsons said.

"It showed us we need to be quicker out of the blocks.

"The middle and tail sections were good, but we learned we need to make a more positive start."

Given the horror opening minutes, Parsons said it was a good performance by his side to only concede another two goals to the competition favourites.

"We missed a few genuine scoring opportunities too, but we matched them for 90 minutes."

Considering Macleay's profile and the fact the side has been playing together for three years - compared to Old Bar which has a new line-up and is going through what Parsons describes as a rebuilding year - the often-tight contest showed the Barbarians have the potential to make an impact at the business end of the season.

With the competition about to enter its second phase, Parsons said the focus was on being present at the end of the year.

"Making the semis is our goal this year, that's what it's all about."

Parsons said he intended to field a similar line-up to last week as part of the plan to retain a well-drilled unit of players who are familiar with each other's movements.

The only possible stumbling block for this scenario tomorrow would be injury concerns to keeper Piet Gross and to Daniel Ihlow, though Parsons was hopeful both would be fine to take the field.

What will change tomorrow is the team's structure and formations, with a focus on a more fluid motion of play through the midfield.

Tomorrow's clash kicks off at 3pm.

Meanwhile, the Taree Wildcats won't be in action in the Mid North Coast Premier League tomorrow, the side out with the bye.

The Wildcats will have an extra week to prepare for the much-anticipated clash with Port United at Taree the following weekend.