TAREE Wildcats will go into tomorrow’s Football Mid North Coast Premier League minor semi-final against Camden Haven at Laurieton minus two key players, striker Ricky Campbell and goal keeper Josh Ferris.
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Campbell, who scored one of Taree’s goals in the 2-0 win over Kempsey Saints last weekend, is being married tomorrow and Ferris will be be attending. Coach Rod Bartley was last night due to finalise replacements for the duo, however, Laurie Maurer was expected to come into the starting XI for Campbell while Aaron Green will fill in between the sticks for Ferris. Green had extensive experience in first grade last season although this will be his debut for 2016.
Bartley concedes the loss of Campbell and Ferris will leave a ‘big hole’ in the side.
“But we knew this was coming, so we’ll change things around to counter their loss,’’ he added.
Bartley said the Wildcats are expecting a torrid time against the physical Redbacks in front of a hostile and vocal crowd.
The last game between the sides was a high scoring affair with the Wildcats hitting back late to win 7-5.
“I don’t think this will be a futsal score – but it will be an open game,’’ Bartley said.
“They play a very direct game – they attack all the time, so retaining possession and keeping our structures will be important.’’
Camden Haven cited Taree’s Jackson Witt after the last encounter and he hasn’t played since because of suspension. Bartley said that’ll add to the tension tomorrow but he quickly added there’ll be no attempt at retribution from his players.
“We're a young team … we’ll just be concentrating on football,’’ Bartley assured.
Witt will be available next week if the Wildcats win tomorrow.
Bartley said the absence of Campbelll and Ferris means the team’s senior players, Jordan Howard, Tom Griffin, Justin Atkins, Cal Lewis and Ben Sedlen will have to stand up, particularly in the pressure cooker atmosphere at Laurieton. Griffin is in some doubt through injury but should be right.
The Wildcats will also meet Tuncurry-Forster in reserve grade. Bartley said a number of players from Taree’s all age team have volunteered to help out.
Taree beat Kempsey Saints 1-0 in the reserve grade elimination match last week.
Wallis Lake and Tuncurry-Forster will clash in the major semi-final at Forster’s Boronia Park tomorrow afternoon.
The Vikings were the minor premiers after dominating the competition-proper.
Winner will advance to the grand final to be played at the Regional Stadium at Port Macquarie on Saturday September 17.
Eagles peak at the right time
INONEE coach Laurent Gonfond is confident his side has peaked at the right time for tomorrow’s southern all age football grand final against Hallidays Point at the Zone Field at Taree Recreation Centre.
The Eagles finished the competition-proper in sixth place. However, they have been in red hot form since, downing minor premiers Old Bar in the opening week of the playoffs. That earned they a week’s break before they sealed a grand final berth with a ruthless 8-2 disposal of Lansdowne last Saturday.
Gonfond was always sure the Eagles would enjoy a successful campaign this year.
“We hit a few bumps along the way, but we’re peaking at the right time,’’ he said.
He said the Eagles conceded an early goal against Lansdowne but added this didn’t fluster his players.
“By half time we led 4-1 and we went on from there,’’ he said.
Striker Cameron Piggot scored four goals and Gonfond nominated him as a player who can sway tomorrow’s match in Tinonee’s favour.
However, he isn’t expecting a goalfest, saying defence is Hallidays Point’s strong point.
Gonfond said there’s a lot of self-belief in his side while he added that there’s speed across the park and the ability to capitalise on any goal scoring opportunities.
Defence the key for Barracudas
DEFENCE will be the cornerstone of Hallidays Point’s grand final assault in tomorrow’s southern all age football decider against Tinonee at the Association Field at Taree Recreation Centre starting at 3pm.
The Barracudas played plenty of football in the past month to get to tomorrow’s game after finishing the competition-proper in fifth place.
Hallidays beat Taree 1-0 in extra time and Pacific Palms 3-2 in a penalty shoot out. In between the Barracudas ended Old Bar’s season with a goal in the last minute of regular time.
“We’re getting used to playing 100 minutes,’’ coach Tim Stenning said.
He pointed out that Hallidays finished the season-proper with the second best defensive record in the competition.
“We only conceded 14 goals,’’ he said.
Hallidays finished last week’s thriller against Palms with 10 men after Dale Schmerleib was red carded. Schmerleib, who has played just about every minute of every game this season, will now be watching from the sidelines tomorrow.
Stenning said goal keeper Alex White, who is in his first season of senior football, has steadily improved through the campaign. However, Stenning pointed out that scoring goals wins games and to that end strikers Matt Robba and Jarrod Gear will need to make the most of any opportunities that come their way.
While the Barracudas have spent plenty of time on the pitch in recent weeks. Steening pointed out Tinonee have had an easier time of it.
“They had the week off after beating Old Bar and then scored eight goals last week,’’ he said.
“They’ll be fresher than us.’’
The Barracudas finished in fifth place, however, Steening said this was deceptive.
“There were 14 teams in the comp and an 18 week season. One week was totally washed out, so it depended on the draw,’’ he said.
“We played the top two sides twice but didn’t get an opportunity to play Great Lakes Vikings because of the wash out, so the final pointscore wasn’t a real reflection of how the season went.’’
Hallidays Point reformed this year after a couple of seasons out when they didn’t have enough players. The club has won one premiership – a Manning B-grade title back in 2007.