by Joel Purcell
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First Grade vs. MVR
The Camden Haven Redbacks First Grade side was clouded by missing faces and injured players as they took to the field against the Macleay Valley Rangers on Saturday.
They were further hampered in the first 60 seconds when a cruel rebound bounced in favour of the MVR striker presenting him with a gift goal.
Five minutes in and things went from bad to worse for the Redbacks, as an injury forced Paul Windred from the field.
His replacement, Nathan Laws, made his return after a few weeks on the sideline with a knee injury.
A shuffled Redbacks line-up continued to hassle the Rangers defence, but couldn’t seem to break through.
Fifteen minutes in and the Redbacks conceded a second goal, as goalkeeper Daniel Westwood was unlucky to see the ball sail over his head.
Two minutes later and a mix up at the back almost gifted MVR a third in the opening half, although an off the line clearance by Daniel Trompert cleared the danger.
The Macleay Valley Rangers did in fact get their third goal for the half off a corner with five minutes remaining in the half.
MVR went into the sheds at half-time with a 3-0 lead, to the disappointment of the Redbacks players and supporters.
The second half started with the Redbacks showing more intensity, and a consolation goal seemed likely. Six minutes into the half and a run from Sam Ward saw him cut in from the left and weave through a few players, to set Ryan Squires up to fire just wide of goal.
It looked like things went from bad to worse for the Redbacks when Sam Ward left the field with an injury, but five minutes later the injury cloud passed as Wardy got back on the field.
With ten minutes left in the game, the referee pointed to the spot and awarded the Macleay Valley Rangers a spot kick, which was converted from twelve yards.
The final score was 4-0 to MVR, with Nathan Laws re-injuring his knee, adding insult to injury for the First Grade side.
This result now means the Redbacks will fight it out on the final day with the last placed Kempsey Saints, with all three points a must in order to book a finals spot for 2010, with the help of other results going in their favour.
Reserves vs. MVR
In the most important game of Camden Haven Redbacks Reserve Grades season, the make or break encounter against the Macleay Valley Rangers was bound to determine whether or not the Redbacks would be taking part in the 2010 Finals Series.
The away side came flying out of the blocks looking to kill the Redbacks final dreams early.
After persistent attacking pressure by the Macleay Valley Rangers the scores were finally broken after thirteen minutes.
A ball played through by an MVR player to another, which seemed to be a metre offside, was unnoticed by the referee and the MVR player put the ball in the back of the net to give the Kempsey based side the lead.
The Redbacks started coming to life after they conceded the opening goal of the game, and were heading towards the Rangers defending third more comfortably.
Despite not really seeing too much of the ball, the Redbacks sat back and defended their goal, trying to keep the score as low as possible.
After letting in an early goal, goalkeeper Jason Balaam had a strong first half, and was on hand to clear any danger in front of goal.
At half-time the Macleay Valley Rangers lead 1-0.
After some strong words by coach Nev Raccani at half-time, the side were keen to get back out on the park and fight their way back into the match.
However, things didn’t go to plan for the home side as they fell behind two minutes into the second half.
MVR came out the stronger of the two sides after the break and added a third five minutes later.
The remainder of the game saw the Redbacks fighting for survival as they threw everything forward, but unfortunately to no avail. Macleay Valley Rangers ran out 3-0 winners.
The Reserve Grade side now have to win next week against the struggling Kempsey Saints and hope that both Port FC and Old Bar lose their final games of the regular season in order for the Reds to clinch the last finals position.
