TAREE turned around some recent indifferent form to account for Kempsey Saints 2-0 in the Football Mid North Coast elimination semi-final played at Kempsey.
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The Wildcats will now meet Camden Haven in Saturday’s minor semi-final at a venue to be announced. Camden Haven went down to Tuncurry-Forster 2-1 in the preliminary semi played at Tuncurry.
Minor premier Wallis Lake and Tuncurry-Forster will meet in the major semi. The grand final will be played at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday September 17.
Taree coach Rod Bartley said it was a gutsy effort from the Wildcats. Injuries and suspension disrupted the team late in the year. Taree secured fifth place in the semi-final on goal averages after finishing equal fifth with Macleay Rangers at the completion of the competition-proper.
“Kempsey has been the form team of the competition going into the semi-finals,’’ Bartley said.
He admitted Saints had the better of play in the first half.
“They play a direct style of football. They’re fit and they just run all day.’’
However, the Wildcats, aided by some great saves from goal keeper Josh Ferris, held the home side out.
“Josh kept us in the game,’’ Bartley admitted.
“He was outstanding.’’
Taree had a great start to the second half when Tom Griffen sent a ball through that Jordan Howard headed into the net to open the scoring.
“I was a bit worried it might have been too early and that we might lose our momentum,’’ Bartley said.
Saints peppered the Taree goal for the next half hour and came close to scoring on a number of occasions, only to be thwarted by desperate defence. Taree then sealed a berth in the minor semi when replacement Matt Collier set up a play that was finished off by Ricky Campbell, who beat the keeper and made the score 2-0.
Bartley said all players contributed to the win although he nominated Griffen and Justin Atkins as the two best along with keeper Ferris.
“Now we’ll prepare for Camden Haven,’’ he said.
Grand finalists decided
GIANT killers Hallidays Point will meet Pacific Palms in the grand final of the Southern all age football competition on Saturday at the Zone Field at Taree Recreation Centre.
This follows the preliminary finals, where Hallidays Point upset the favoured Pacific Palms 4-3 at Pacific Palms.
Tinonee secured the other grand final berth by thrashing Lansdowne Lions 8-2 in a dominating performance. (More details Friday).
