Match of the Round
Port United v Northern Storm
Dixie Park, Saturday 12 July, 3pm
Port United coach Glenn Morris says a win is vital for his side when they welcome Northern Storm to Dixie Park on Saturday.
Unlike their opponents Port United have played both their NNSWF RSL matches, with one win and one loss to their name.
They sit third on the RSL Men’s Group B table on equal points with Northern Storm in first and cross-town rivals Port Saints in second.
Port United will need all three points to keep their final hopes alive.
“I’m a little bit nervous, to be honest. They're going to be, really tough,” Morris said.
“It would be vitally important for us to continue in the competition. They'd be over the moon, to be honest.
“We're a fairly new team and for something like that to happen, that will give them a real big shot of confidence.”
As with many other clubs, Port United’s season in the Mid North Coast Zone League One competition has been heavily impacted by wet weather playing only five out of their scheduled 10 matches.
Morris is mindful that the lack of game time could hurt them on Saturday.
“With the last influx of rain, it really destroyed our fields,” Morris said.
“We couldn't get on fields to train or play and it made it very difficult.
“They've recovered and it's been fairly dry up here at the moment, so games are back on and players are happy.
“It will impact us a little. We haven't had enough game time and like I said, we're a fairly new team, so they're still gelling together as players.
“So, yeah, a lack of game could hurt us a little.”
Across their two games, two different goal scorers have netted their three goals. But Morris does not want just Edoardo Castro Wade and Riley Taylor to step up and instead hopes everyone in his side takes their chances.
“Them scoring again would be vital for confidence and Northern Storm are going to be very, very strong,” Morris said.
“But I need everybody to have shots. Shots on goal whenever possible and to not leave any opportunities untaken.”
Port United will be without goalkeeper Holden O’Brien.
Northern Storm will enter the contest after they defeated Armidale City Westside 7-1 in their first hit out of the competition.
The win included four goal scorers across the seven goals with the most notable being a Thomas Sweeney hat-trick and Campbell Brear double.
Coach Craig Caruana said the three points were important for his side to kick start their run in the competition.
“When you've only got like three games in the pool stage, you have to get off to a good start,” Caruana said.
“So getting three points was the first objective and the goal difference, definietly helps. We played reasonably well and I'm pretty happy with the boys’ effort.
“I think that's Tommy Sweeney's second hat-trick of the season. He's been good.
“We've missed him for a few games during the season and it hurts a bit when he's out and Campbell's probably been our most consistent player over the last couple of years.
“He's been here for the last three years. He's won the senior club Player of the Year twice.
“For such a young player, he's got such a level head and without being captain he's one of the leaders on the field.”
Northern Storm sits at the top of the table on equal points with second and third but have the better goal difference and a game in hand.
While Caruana would like a win against Port United he is confident in his side’s position ahead of finals.
“Port United already playing two games and without taking the other game into consideration, even a draw would be enough for us to qualify this week. Although you do go to a penalty shootout,” Caruana said.
“As long as we can finish the competition either first or second, I think that's fine. We're in a good position to do that.
“But games aren’t won on paper, they're won on grass and we’ve got to go out and start all over again, work hard and hopefully come away with another result. “
Northern Storm will also be without goalkeeper Mitch Weeden with a calf injury. Reserve grade goalkeeper Josh Harrigan will step into the starting 11.
Armidale City Westside v Port Saints
Harris Park, Saturday 12 July, 3pm
Armidale City Westside will search for their first win in the league when they welcome Port Saints to Harris Park on Saturday.
Armidale will be eager to bounce back from their 7-1 loss at the hands of Northern Storm in round two.
They sit bottom of the RSL Men’s Group B table after 2-0 and 7-1 defeats but sit mid table in the Northern Inland Premier League.
Armidale, like many clubs, have had a stop-start season so far with rain interruptions and have played eight out of 12 matches.
They have netted 27 goals in the Northern Inland Premier League and will look to replicate their scoring ability in round three of the RSL.
This weekend’s clash will be Port Saints’ second hit out in the competition after their round one fixture was postponed due to wet weather.
They will enter the contest full of confidence after they beat cross-town rivals Port United 2-1 with goals from Jordan Stevenson and Riley Venables.
Saints sit second on the RSL Men’s Group B table, behind league leaders Northern Storm on goal difference but sit at the top of the Mid North Coast Zone League One competition with four wins and one loss.
They will hope to continue their momentum when they travel three and a half hours away from home.
Inverell FC v Urunga FC
Inverell Sporting Complex, Saturday 12 July, 3pm
Inverell FC will look to make it three from three when they go head-to-head with Urunga FC at Inverell Sporting Complex on Saturday.
Inverell will be on a high when they enter the contest after defeating Macleay Valley Rangers 5-0 in round two of the NNSW RSL.
They sit at the top of the RSL Men’s Group A table three points clear of Woolgoolga United in second.
Inverell have continued a strong start to the Northern Inland Premier League, with five wins and three losses.
Across their two competition matches they have netted seven goals with six goal scorers and will look to repeat their success this weekend.
Urunga will enter the contest looking for their first win of the NNSW RSL after falling behind 3-1 against Woolgoolga United in round two.
They have played only one game in the competition after their round one clash was postponed due to wet weather.
Urunga have had a mixed start to North Coast Football’s HIT105.5FM Premier League, with two wins, one draw and six losses and sit eighth on the table.
They will hope to secure all three points this weekend to boost them to second on the RSL Men’s Group A table and keep their finals hopes alive.
Woolgoolga United v Macleay Valley Rangers - Forfeited
