TWO goals in the last 15 minutes of the match enabled Taree to defeat defending champions Macleay Valley 4-3 in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League clash at Omaru Park.
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The visitors were down to 10 players for the second half when their goal keeper was sent off following an incident involving Taree's Jordan Howard.
The Wildcats were determined to improve on their form from the first round when held to a 2-2 draw by Wingham. Taree started well controlling play only to go behind to a great strike from the edge of the box.
The Wildcats replied soon after when Jordan Howard knocked a ball into the box that was controlled by Cody Chick and then finished calmly to level the scores at 1-1.
The game was going from end to end with Rangers next to score when the striker was left open in the box and found the back of the net. Just before halftime Howard made a break down the left and only had the keeper to beat when he was brought down by the keeper, who was sent off.
Josh Bithrey converted the penalty to send the teams to the break level at 2-2.
Rangers came out after the break and put plenty of pressure on the Wildcats but it looked headed for a draw until Rangers went ahead 3-2.
This seemed to lift the Wildcats and they applied plenty of pressure on the defence for the last 15 minutes and goals resulted to Justin Atkins and the match winner through Mitch Newhman.
Howard, Atkins and Newhman were Taree's best.
The reserves were lacking numbers so had to call up YD1s to fill the void. After going behind early the game opened up with both teams striking the bar and creating chances. Unfortunately Taree couldn't find the equaliser and went down 1-0. Matt Collier and Dean Wilkins were Taree's best.
