TAREE Wildcats coach Rod Bartley says he will ‘unleash’ Jackson Witts in tomorrow’s Football Mid North Coast Premier League clash against Wauchope at Omaru Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Witts has missed Taree’s last 10 games stretching back to last season while he served out a lengthy suspension and then recovered from surgery.
“Jackson is raring to go,’’ Bartley said.
“He can't wait for Saturday, he’s looking forward to playing again.’’
Witts will take his place up front as the Wildcats look to get the season back on track. Bartley isn’t concerned about Witts’ lack of match fitness.
“He’s 100 per cent fit,’’ he said.
Witts was Taree’s leading goal scorer last year and had one of the best strike rates in the league.
The Wildcats go into tomorrow’s game with a 1/3 win-loss record. Bartley said Taree will be edging closer to full strength this week. Taree played in the northern round of the FFA Cup in Coffs Harbour last weekend.
The Woodchoppers returned to the premier league this season and currently hold down last spot.
“From what I’ve heard they’re in the game until the last 20 minutes or so and then they run out of legs,’’ Bartley said.
“But there’s not such thing as an easy game in this competition.’’
The coach pointed out the club will have a testing few weeks of football, with games against Camden Have and Port United leading into the bye. He concedes the Wildcats haven’t had the start they wanted to the season but added it’s early days yet.
The Wildcats also have to schedule the postponed game from last weekend against Port Saints. This will be played mid-week in Port Macquarie.
In other Football Mid North Coast matches tomorrow Camden Haven will look for a badly needed win against Tuncurry-Forster at Laurieton.
Competition leaders Macleay Valley will clash with Kempsey Saints in the local derby while in another derby Port United tackles Port Saints.
Wallis Lake will sit the day out with the bye.
Meanwhile Taree Zone Field at Taree Recreation Centre will be the venue for the Football Mid North Coast/Adamstown clash in the Herald Women’s Premier League on Sunday.
This will be in under 14s, 16s, 18s and first grade.
The first grade clash will be vital for both teams. Adamstown sits in third place on 11 points, one clear of fourth placed FMNC.
However, both are comfortably behind the two front runners, Merewether and Warners Bay.
Merewether has 27 points with Warners Bay on 24.