TAREE will look to shutdown Tuncurry-Forster dangermen Mark Mallia and Blair Smith in tomorrow’s crucial Football Mid North Coast Premier League clash at Tuncurry.
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Wildcats coach Rod Bartley worked by Mallia and Smith in the Newcastle Jets trial earlier this month and said they are the players who can cause his side his side the most trouble.
Mallia will play up front, with Smith in the midfield.
“We’ll certainly have to shut them down,’’ he said.
“They are both very good footballers and we can’t afford to give them any space.’’
The Wildcats are bidding with Kempsey Saints and Camden Haven for the last two spots in the final five with four matches remaining. However, Bartley warned that the Tigers still have some hope.
“If they win all their matches and Camden Haven or us lose all our games, then they can still get in,’’ he said.
“They’ll have that in the back of their mind.’’
Adding the the intrigue is the fact Taree’s record at Tuncurry-Forster’s home ground is poor.
“It's been a bit of a graveyard for us - we’ve never won there in my time and I don’t think the club has had too much success there over the years. Tuncurry-Forster’s always a different side at home,’’ Bartley pointed out.
However, he is confident the Wildcats have turned the corner following an enthusiastic effort when going down 2-1 to Port United last week.
“We had a young side on the field that day they were right in the match all the way. We’re starting to get a few players back now,’’ he said.
“We’re without Laurie Maurer this week because of work commitments and that’s a massive loss because he’s been one of our best in the last month. But we get Josh Ferris and Justin Atkins back this week.’’
Bartley said skipper Jordan Howard is back training but will delay a decision on whether he plays this week. The Wildcats meet competition heavyweights Tuncurry-Forster on Saturday week in what is going to be a massive fortnight for the side, so Bartley won’t rush Howard back.
Meanwhile Port Saints retained a four point lead over last placed Wauchope following the catch-up game played at Wauchope on Wednesday night.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw after Wauchope led 2-1 at halftime. The club finishing last in first grade this year will be relegated from the premier league in 2019. Saints play Wallis Lake (a), Kempsey Saints (h) and Camden Haven before having a last round bye. Wauchope has the bye this week before meeting Port United (h), Tuncurry-Forster (a) and Wallis Lake.
