The NAMBUCCA Strikers Reds made the long journey north to take on fourth placed Corindi on Saturday in the latest round of the North Coast Football competition.
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The league leaders were missing forwards Ryan Flack and Christian Penny, who scored six goals between them in the previous round. But the Strikers Reds welcomed back Trevor Sparks and Jason Forbes from long-term injury.
The first half-hour was lacklustre with neither team threatening their opponent’s goal. While the Strikers’ defence was rock-solid, the link between midfield and the forwards was slow to establish, and the Corindi defence stood defiant in the midday heat.
The deadlock was broken when an inch-perfect cross from Clay Urquhart was met by a beautifully timed run on the opposite flank by James Lane. His first time volley was parried by the keeper but only back into Lane’s path and his second attempt was more precise, giving the Reds the lead.
A well worked free kick, towards the end of the first half, nearly doubled the margin when a fiercely delivered free kick was met by the head of Joel Mason. But his attempt cannoned off the keeper at point blank range.
The fitness and patience of the Strikers paid off in the second half and three more goals were scored. The first of these was a calm finish from Trevor Sparks after a deft chip over the last line of defence by Urquhart. Sparks doubled his tally for the afternoon by rounding the keeper to slot in, after a great through ball, this time by Andy Jackson in midfield.
With Stu Dyer and Ricky Forbes controlling the defence, Garry Bournes and Joel Mason were allowed to push on into the opposing half. After a mesmerising run up the centre by Bournes, a rebounding ball was met on the half-volley by Urquhart and it rocketed into the back of the net.
So, on a warm day the sometimes heated match ended in the Strikers’ favour 4-0 and was a fair reflection of their dominance despite a less-than-par performance. Positive signs, however, to come away from a tricky fixture with all three points, and impressively a clean sheet, thanks to a superb performance by keeper, and man of the match, Nick Mitchell.
* Saturday sees three games at Coronation Park starting with the women’s v Westlawn Tigers at 1pm, the Reds v Northern Storm at 3pm and the Blues v Macksville at 5pm.
