THE MACKSVILLE Stingers found their mojo and go forward just a little too late to overhaul Coffs Coast United Lions in a stop-start North Coast Football men’s third division fixture this afternoon.
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It was a sea of red at the North Macksville field with both teams playing in similar strip – though the Lions are new to this division after finding life problematic in the higher second division and dropping down.
In the first half it was the visitors who ran the roost, with pretty one-touch passing, as the young Lions exposed the hosts on the flanks.
On cue, the referee – the only field participant not in red – soon joined the party when a kick for a restart by Stingers keeper Corey Forbes accidentally clocked him on the noggin, causing a small cut.
The game paused for several minutes while the ref – who by day works as a paramedic – made running repairs.
Three-one at the break and the Lions were in the driving seat.
But in the second half it was all Macksville, who boasted more big bodies than a flex show at Venice Beach – as the Lions lost their zest for the physical contest.
The Stingers launched raid after raid, playing direct – and were finally rewarded with a score to put the result in question.
A draw would have been a fitting result, but time ticked out and it was 3-2 to the Lions at the death.
Enjoy the gallery.
