THE NAMBUCCA Strikers travelled to Orara Valley at the weekend for the final match of the regular North Coast Football men’s second division season. While results elsewhere could still see the Strikers miss out on the semis, they knew a win was a minimum to keep their chances alive.
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For the second week running, the pitch offered an added challenge. Its bounciness and unpredictability was obvious as the visitors struggled to make their passes stick. In attack, the play was positive with Shawn Snowden tearing down the left flank tirelessly thanks to some excellent service from Ryan Flack and Dan Peyre.
The weight of possession, however, accounted for nothing as with their first shot the hosts took the lead on the 10-minute mark. A poor pass at the back gifted the Dingoes striker a one-on-one chance which was converted clinically.
The inquest was barely over by the time the scores were levelled. Fyfe, again linking well with the front man, delivered a perfectly timed through ball that Flack poked past the rushing keeper.
James Lane and Daniel Stoermer were creating havoc in midfield, allowing Demson Manafi and Snowden more space out on the flanks. The latter was unfortunate not to have bagged a couple before the break.
The second did come before half time as another telling ball down the right put Flack into space. And with a head of steam he was goal-bound. His fierce shot parried by the Orara keeper. However, the parry made it only to Peyre, who’s follow up shot was deflected into the goals by Lane for his first of the season. 2-1 to the Strikers at the break.
The second stanza started perfectly for the Strikers when after only two minutes from the restart, Stoermer played an inch-perfect reverse pass into Snowden who squared back inside to Flack who tapped in for his second of the afternoon.
With some breathing space the score threatened to open up, especially with Snowden, Lane and the front men linking well. However, a rash challenge in the box from Daniel Glasson gave Orara a chance to pull one back from the spot. They converted and it was game on.
The remainder of the match was a scrappier affair. Dave McBarron in goals was becoming increasingly tested and had to call on the services of Lane on one occasion to clear the ball off the line.
Nail biting stuff until the death for the Strikers but as the full time whistle blew, victory was theirs.
And as news filtered through that results elsewhere were favourable, they could celebrate as they had reached the semi-finals. For the first time this season they broke into the top four … better late than never, they say.
This weekend they take on Sawtell in the first leg of a two-legged, home and away semi-final. The game will kick off at 3pm at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads (TBC). The Nambucca Strikers have three other teams in the semi-finals – with the 13s boys taking on Coffs United at Maclean St after finishing second; while the 14s and 16s boys both finished in third place and will take on Sawtell this Saturday at Coronation Park.