But there they were, cars encircling the field, some lads watching from canvas chairs atop the ute tray with rums in hand. Elimination final. North Coast Football. The local blokes – Macksville Stingers – against Coffs Coast United Lions. Men’s third division – typically a cocktail of older lads and juniors making their way.

These two sides met just last weekend when the Stingers jammed them 3-1 away. Expectations were high for the hosts at North Macksville.

Yet it was the Lions who opened the stronger – as Macksville seemed ‘tight’ from the occasion – scoring two to the good, the latter coming from a long range speculator which caught human crane Corey Forbes centimetres short from the block.

Macksville finally found their swag – and Brodie Bartlett got them on the board with a wicked right strike which curved into the strings. 2-1 at the break to Coffs.

On the resumption, the Lions lifted or perhaps the Stingers doubted. Coffs pressed and the ball rarely left the Macksville half and only a set of saves by Forbes kept the match in balance.

Finally, the Stingers broke free, and Bartlett was clear and menaced only to be axed in an ugly challenge that saw a straight red for the Coffs defender.

Not one to stay down, the big lug took the penalty and anguished as it sailed wide.

But seconds later, Bartlett had his mind cleared and finished clinically from a fast break. 2-2 baby, and the crowd sensed a hometown win.

But the Lions – an ethnic team including a number of very talented African lads – found another gear, and a goal, to stay alive in the finals. A huge effort for a 10-man side to get the result.

Macksville were gutted, but should reflect on such a successful season. Six straight wins running into this match, and a club which can be optimistic about 2019.

Big bad ass trucks at Macksville

Newcastle Jets on way to the coast