IN theory, it’s simple.
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Taree Wildcats beats Camden Haven at Omaru Park tomorrow and claims a place in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League semi-finals.
That’s in both grades.
The Wildcats and Kempsey Saints go into tomorrow’s last round encounter a point clear of sixth placed Camden Haven. Best result for Taree is to beat the Redbacks while Kempsey Saints go down to Macleay Valley. That’ll give them fourth place and a home semi-final next Saturday.
“But if we lose we’re out,’’ club president Ben Sedlen said.
Taree has an inferior goal differential to Kempsey and Camden Haven and Sedlen said that could come back to haunt them.
“If we lose we have to hope Macleay beats Saints by about 15 goals and that’s not going to happen,’’ Sedlen said.
However, he added a draw would be enough for the Wildcats to gain fifth spot. He said there’s plenty of motivation for the Wildcats tomorrow.
“If our players in both grades can’t get fired up for this weekend they never will,’’ Sedlen said.
However, Camden Haven’s been something of a bogey for the Wildcats in the last couple of seasons. Last year the then struggling Redbacks held Taree to a draw in the second round game. This ultimately resulted in the Wildcats missing third place on goal differential and saw them line up against Wallis Lake in the elimination semi-final. Lakes won 3-1 on their way to claiming a second consecutive premiership.
The Wildcats were travelling along without any major dramas this year until they tackled Camden Haven at Laurieton where theyn finished behind on the scoreboard. They then suffered a 7-0 loss to Port United in a mid-week deferred game before hanging on for a draw against lowly Port Saints.
However, Sedlen said there were some positive signs against Kempsey Saints last week, where the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
“But it’s the same old story,’’ Sedlen said.
“We have to take our chances. We can’t afford to miss open goals like we did last week.
“If we take our chances we beat any team in the competition.’’
Jordan Howard and Jackson Witts have both recovered from injury and should start tomorrow although there is some doubt over goalkeeper Curtis Jones, who missed the clash against Kempsey Saints.
Wauchope to be relegated
WAUCHOPE won’t be playing in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League next year.
This was confirmed in the round 17 matches when Wauchope went down to Tuncurry-Forster 1-0. Wauchope trail Port Saints by four points on the ladder, with Saints having the last round bye this weekend. Even if Wauchope upsets Wallis Lake tomorrow they’ll still finish in last spot.
The Football Mid North Coast board last year decided that eight clubs would contest the premier league from 2019, with the club finishing last in first grade to be relegated. Wauchope rejoined the premier league in 2017.
Meanwhile round 17 results confirmed that unbeaten Wallis Lake would finish minor premier and have a week off when the finals begin on Saturday August 25.
Camden Haven’s big win over Port Saints means they are now just one point adrift of Taree and Kempsey Saints in sixth place going into the final round. Taree will host Camden Haven on Saturday while Kempsey Saints tackles second placed Macleay Valley.
The qualifying semi-final (second v third) on August 25 will be Macleay Valley Rangers against Port United at Dangar Street in Kempsey while the elimination semi-final (fourth v fifth) on August 25 will be decided in last round, with Kempsey Saints, Taree and Camden Haven all in the mix.
Reserve grade minor premiers to be decided in final round with just one point between Wallis Lake and Port United.
Taree’s reserve grade needs to beat Camden Haven tomorrow to seal a berth in the playoffs.