THE Football Mid North Coast Premier League season is only is just six games old but Taree Wildcats coach Rod Bartley has already described tomorrow's clash against Kempsey Saints at Kempsey as 'must win' for his side.
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Taree is one of four sides in a log jammed centre of the competition table vying for a top five berth. However, coach Bartley points out that the Wildcats have the bye in the last round and that could be beneficial. Teams receive points for the bye this season.
"We can set ourselves up pretty well if we win this weekend,'' Bartley said.
"So this is a must win game for us. I hate saying that at this stage of the year, but it's that important.''
Kempsey are in outright fourth and are a point clear of the Wildcats. However Saints have already had their bye.
Bartley said previously his side needs to beat a side in front of them on the ladder. The Wildcats have three wins from three matches, but all their victories have been at home and against teams trailing them.
The Wildcats will go into the game minus goal keeper Piet Gross, who is sitting out a suspension after being sent off in the 3-2 loss to Camden Haven last weekend.
Bartley will switch Josh Ferris to the keeper's role. Ferris filled in admirably when Gross was hunted.
"Piet has been one of our best this year, but Josh will do the job,'' Bartley said.
The Wildcats have a number of other niggling injuries but Bartley expects all will be right to take the field against Saints.
Bartley said Saints are a young and fast side who play a similar style to the Wildcats. It'll be different to last week's encounter, where Bartley said the Redbacks employed a more direct game.
He added his side has to put away chances.
"Sometimes it comes down to the bounce of the ball,'' he pointed out.
"But last week they had about six chances away and put three away. We had about 33 and finished with two goals. But that's last week, we have to move on from there.
"This week's another challenge.''