NAMBUCCA Heads and Macksville got the precious 'W' next to their names and the three competition points, but were less than assured in their respective North Coast Football men's 2nd division matches this afternoon.
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Up the road against the last-placed Coffs Coast Tigers, the Nambucca Strikers were looking to carry on their good form after besting Macksville the previous weekend in the local derby.
But it was the Tigers who started the more promisingly, controlling the first 30 minutes without quite threatening the scoreboard.
Nambucca welcomed back striker Harley Parker after an extended time out, and he had two early chances, twice denied by the woodwork.
With 13 minutes left on the clock in the half the hard working Zac Baldwin put the Strikers into the lead.
A second nearly followed when a wide ball was swept infield and through to Harley and Zac and then the net - only for the play to be called back as the ball was deemed over the sideline.
Nambucca owned the second half, with Marty Hazell and Blake McNeill among the best for the visitors.
With 10 to go, the talented Kai Allan made it 2-nil, although a late goal for the Tigers after a left flank raid kept things interesting.
Macksville Stingers at home had things far easier, albeit against a nine man Dorrigo Highlanders outfit.
The hosts banged a brace in both halves to set up the 4-nil victory, though full credit to the undermanned mountain men who never stopped running.
The Stingers will take heart to see key striker Brodie Bartlett moving freely and at pace for the first time in a month after coming back from a hamstring injury.
Best on the park for the Reds were Straub and Paul 'sneakers' Coulter, while the Forbes family showed they play for keeps with Corey throwing dad Jason the custodian's pink strip between the posts at the break.