CORINDI Breakers were the team who – after playing two catch-up games – pushed Nambucca Strikers from fourth to fifth on the North Coast Football men’s third division ladder.
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So when these two talented outfits squared off at Coronation Park on Saturday afternoon, the locals were keen to make their mark.
Nambucca had the best of their previous encounter away to Corindi, and they were keen to rub salt into the wound in the return leg.
The younger legs of the Nambucca team were a difference in the first half, with loads of possession and go-forward, they looked like the team most likely to score.
But this Corindi team possess potent counter-attack, and they caught Nambucca off guard, taking the lead midway through the first stanza.
Nambucca pressed again, and took possession and the ascent to see their chances grow, but could not capitalise on all their hard work. Still, it was only 1-nil at the break, and there was plenty of confidence to take back the game in the half-time talk.
And Nambucca did just that, their enthusiasm had them in the Breakers half for much of the 2nd 40, as they worked hard to get that equaliser, and then the winner.
So it was agonising when Corindi hit their second on the counter.
Nambucca showed great spirit to again have many more chances, only to be frustrated by the woodwork or a stray boot lace.
The Strikers fought to the end and impressed the Corindi coach, who remarked on the host’s skills and fight.
This Strikers team – an outfit started from scratch in 2017 – has shown continued improvement across the season and with an ounce of luck would be featuring in the finals. That said, they should be proud of their standing on the ladder and just as importantly, their growth as a unit.
With the last game of season 2017 up the top of the mountain in Dorrigo this Saturday, the lads would like to close out with a win and create some momentum for the off-season and the year ahead.