TAREE Wildcats play just one side ahead of them on the competition ladder in the five weeks leading into the Football Mid North Coast Premier League final series.
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The Wildcats currently sit in fifth place but are just a point shy of Port United and Wallis Lake. Port Saints’ win over Wauchope in a deferred game earlier this week has lifted them to outright second. Taree also has a three point buffer over six placed Tuncurry-Forster, although Taree coach Rod Bartley said mathematically seven of the nine clubs can still make the five, with only Camden Haven and Wauchope out of the running.
“Port United’s the only side we play that’s ahead of us in the next five weeks,’’ Bartley said.
“We also have a bye in there, so that will come at a good time.’’
Bartley agreed the Wildcats have a great opportunity to force their way into the top three with a strong finish to the competition-proper.
Taree meets last placed Wauchope tomorrow at Wauchope. This will also be Wauchope’s third game in a week.
“There’s no such thing as an easy game in this competition but we’ll go to Wauchope with a game plan and if we stick to that we should come home with the points,’’ Bartley said.
He will rest Jackson Witts this weekend. Witts was strong in Taree’s two crushing wins over Port Saints in the last week but is still struggling with an ankle injury.
“Jackson will have to week off and then he should be right for the next game,’’ Bartley said.
The Wildcats slammed in nine goals in two matches against Saints and conceded just one.
“We’ve hit a bit of form,’’ Bartley said.
“And we’re pretty close to full strength, with Jackson our only player out, so we have 27 to chose from. That makes it easier.’’
Four to take on Jets
FOUR Taree players have been named in a southern Football Mid North Coast selection to meet the Newcastle Jets A-League side in a friendly at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Tuesday August 15.
This will be part of the Jets’ five day northern tour that starts in Taree on Monday August 14 with a coaching clinic for juniors.
Macabe Grass, Sean Pole-Cini, Lucas Mepham and Jordan Howard will play one half against the Jets. A northern selection will play the other half.
Taree’s Rod Bartley is one of the coaches, along with Jonathon Newman from Tuncurry-Forster.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players, particularly the younger guys and hopefully it will open some pathways,’’ Bartley said.
Grass is just 16 and in his first season of the premier league. He was named players’ player from last weekend’s clash with Port Saints.