A 4-1 scoreline is normally indicative of a comprehensive win, but North Coast Football men’s third division juggernauts Orara Valley were anything but senior partners as they travelled away to Coronation Park this afternoon.
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In fact it was the Strikers who looked the goods, pressing early with a high-tempo flashy style, and were soon shock 1-nil leaders after Riley Hayden – who was deadly up front all day – found the strings.
Largely against the run of play, Orara found the equaliser, then scored a cracking goal from a long range breakaway to head to the break 2-1.
The second half was every bit as keenly contested, as both outfits tested, while Nambucca stopper Ben Honeybrook was sensational between the posts.
The Strikers too had plenty of chances, despite the larger bodies of the Dingoes trying to dial down the speed to a pace more suited.
Orara finally snuck one in, and 3-1 it should have finished, only for a late hand ball in the box to gift the Dingoes a fourth with time up.
While it wasn’t quite champagne football by Nambucca, it was a universe away from cheap, tart, goon.
It was in fact the Strikers finest performance of a season ending too soon for a side on the build. If Nambucca can keep this outfit largely intact for 2019, they will undoubtedly be in the mix for the finals.
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