With five players unavailable the Strikers had to draw on their youth team to bolster numbers for the vital clash with Isaac Hodnett-Daly and Nicholas Hickey making debuts from the under 16s squad. Corey Forbes, also from the 16s, was in goals.

Nambucca looked to play early on, using their midfield well to move the ball around and link with front man, Ryan Flack. James Lane and Peppi Peyre produced most of the creative flair, while Lawson Tinmouth worked hard in defence.

The scoring began from the penalty spot after the Tigers’ back handled in the box. Dan Flack stepped up to convert and the Strikers were away, 1-0.

Shortly after Ryan Flack latched onto a neat through ball. His calm, quick finish caught the keeper off guard and the Strikers’ lead was doubled.

They seemed to be in cruise control at this point but the visitors found a way back into the match. A well-taken goal halved the deficit and towards the end of the half they were awarded their own penalty for a Strikers hand ball. They converted from the spot and it was level at 2-2.

Ryan Flack put a free header wide late in the half and Tinmouth created havoc in the box but it was their combination that took the Strikers to the break in the lead with another neatly taken goal. An inch-perfect through-ball from Tinmouth put Flack in behind the defence. A strong run saw Flack command the ball, and his finish across the face of the keeper was clinical and he had his second.

After the break, the Tigers leveled once more when a momentary lapse in concentration from Forbes saw the ball dribble in from a seemingly harmless shot. Forbes, to this point, had been outstanding between the sticks, pulling off some superb point blank saves.

The Coffs side then took the lead when miscommunication in the centre of defence allowed the men in orange to stroll through on goal unchallenged. A simple shot past the hapless Forbes and the visitors were in the lead for the first time.

Youngsters Hodnett-Daly and Hickey were introduced on debut for the seniors. Hodnett-Daly was playing with patience and simplicity beyond his years and allowed the Strikers to maintain possession and get back into the contest.

Hickey came on for Ryan Flack up top and offered an injection of speed against the tired legs of the Coffs Coast defenders.

Hickey’s moment came with a shot from distance and out wide that bamboozled the keeper. His spinning, dipping shot was too hot to handle and he had his debut goal much to his, his team mates’ and the crowd’s delight. Scores were level once more at 4-all.

Flack was re-introduced late on and to good effect. His pin point corner was met solidly by Cameron Molloy at the back post and his rifling header put the Strikers into the lead.

The scoring wasn’t finished though, and Flack put the icing on the cake in a see-sawing affair with his third of the afternoon. He gained possession of the ball outside the box and with work to do. He shimmied past a couple of players and unleashed a vicious shot that the keeper could only lay a limp glove on as the ball smacked into the back of the net.

A dramatic afternoon and the match finished 6-4 to the Strikers. A vital three points won as they look to put on a late charge for the finals. On Saturday they take on Coffs United at Maclean St, Coffs Harbour from 3pm.