IT was a tough night at the office for Taree Wildcats in the midweek Coastal Premier League football clash against Port Saints at the Taree Zone Field.
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The Wildcats lost 2-0 against a classy Saints outfit. Saints now lead the competition going into Saturday's fixtures.
However, Taree also had Canan O'Donnell sent off just before fulltime while midfielder Reglis Hajdinaj was hobbling on an strained hamstring, adding to Taree's mounting injury toll.
The Wildcats will have four first graders out or in doubt for Saturday's away clash against Boambee.
Taree conceded two early goals against Saints to cruel any hopes of causing an upset.
"They were silly goals after poor reads in defence,'' coach Ben Sedlen said.
He said the Wildcats were scrappy early although they were more competitive in the second half.
"We created a few half chances and our defence was tighter,'' he said.
"But we didn't trouble them too much.''
O'Donnell, until his untimely dismissal, worked hard for the Wildcats while Sedlen said the midfield was solid.
Port United won the reserve grade 5-0.
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Sedlen said the Zone Field was in perfect condition for the encounter.
"The pitch was immaculate and the lighting was good,'' he said.
In other Wednesday night games Sawtell upset Port United 2-1, Boambee drew 3-3 with Macleay Valley, Northern Storm accounted for Coffs Coast 3-1 while the Kempsey Saints/Coffs United game was postponed.
The Sawtell and Port United finished at the 83-minute mark, seven minutes ahead of the regular time, as new lighting at Toormina Oval was programmed to turn off at 9.30pm, unbeknownst to the club. According to Sawtell FC, lighting at the venue usually is turned on and off by the user. However, the system couldn't be over-ridden on the night.
The score at the time of the interruption favoured Sawtell 2-1 and Sawtell was awarded the match as per competition rules.
Reserve grade: Port United d Sawtell 2-1, Boambee d Macleay Rangers 3-0, Coffs Tigers d Northern Storm 1-0.
First grade ladder: Port Saints 12, Macleay Valley 11, Northern Storm 9, Boambee 8, Coffs United 7, Port United 6, Sawtell 6, Coffs Coast Tigers 5, Taree 3, Kempsey Saints 1.
