TAREE will again look to turn the Omaru Park headquarters into a fortress in this season’s Football Mid North Coast Premier League season.
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The Wildcats lost just one game at home in 2016 – to tomorrow’s opponents and reigning champions, Wallis Lake. Taree’s record at home went a long way to securing the Wildcats a top five berth.
This will also be Taree’s first home match for the season.
“After the money the club has spent on the ground it’s in great nick,’’ coach Rod Bartley said.
"We’re looking forward to playing there.’’
Taree go into tomorrow with a 1-2 record following a win over Tuncurry-Forster in the opening round and a 6-2 loss to Macleay Valley last weekend. Bartley expects to have most of last week’s absentees available tomorrow, when the Wildcats had 12 players missing across first and reserve grades.
However, the Wildcats will be without Ricky Campbell and Bartley concedes he will be a big loss.
“Ricky’s started the season in his best form for a long time,’’ Bartley said.
Campbell was one of Taree’s goal scorers last week.
Yesterday Bartley he wasn’t who would take Campbell’s place up front.
“Lachlan Brown went well there last week and he might get an opportunity or I might move Callum Griffiths across from the wing to nine,’’ he explained.
Wallis Lake dominated last season virtually from the opening kickoff but they lost their first round match this year before downing Wauchope last Saturday.
“They’ve had a bit of a mixed start,’’ Bartley said.
“But we know this is going to be a tough game.’’
In other games this weekend Camden Haven host Kempsey Saints, unbeaten Macleay Valley tackle Port United and Wauchope plays Port Saints. Tuncurry-Forster has the bye.
Meanwhile Shane Ryan from Cundletown has been named Football Mid North Coast’s Newcastle Permanent community coach of the month for March.
Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) made the announcement.
Shane was nominated by Cundletown Jets for his commitment to a number of teams over the duration of his service to the club.
“Coaching is one of the most important factors in the football experience had by our players. It is important that coaches like Shane continue the great work they are doing at Cundletown Jets so that their players develop a love for the game and continue to have the best football experience possible,” NNSWF community football manager Peter Haynes said.
Newcastle Permanent branch manager, Kayla Yates, congratulated Shane on becoming the recipient of the award.
Coast to tackle South Wallsend
THIRD placed Football Mid North Coast will tackle South Wallsend in the Herald Women’s Premier League clash at Newcastle on Sunday.
FMNC returned to the winner’s circle with a stylish 3-0 win over Thornton last week. Coast currently has seven points to hold down third spot. However, they’re well behind the two front runners, Merewether (21 points) and Warners Bay (18).
Play will be in under 14s, 16s, 18s and first grade. FMNC’s next home game will be at Taree on May 21.