PORT Saints cemented a top three Football Mid North Coast Premier League finish on Saturday with a good win over minor premiers Camden Haven Redbacks.
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Saints won 2-1 at Findlay Park to finish off the home and away season in fine style and get on the front foot ahead of the finals which begin on Saturday.
Aaron Oppedisano and Michael Snow scored goals for Saints on Saturday.
Oppedisano's came from the penalty spot, before Snow finished well at the back post.
Snow followed the ball in after Ibby Khodary's good shot forced a smart save from Redbacks keeper Aaron Bailey.
"He had defenders around him, so it was a good finish," Saints coach Tony Judge said.
It was an arm wrestle for the first half. The teams went into the break at 0-0.
"It was a typical top of the table clash," Judge said.
"It was pretty physical."
Judge made some changes in the second. He removed Oppedisano and Dean Glen-Holmes.
Oppedisano and Glen-Holmes could have been in hot water over too many yellow cards in previous weeks.
A defensive lapse led to the Redbacks' goal. Saints cleared the ball straight to the Camden Haven striker, who made no mistake in putting the ball past keeper Chris Newbound.
Snow's goal was the difference.
Judge is happy with the momentum his team has built going into the pointy end of the season.
The Saints are in just their second year back in the premier league. A slow start, in which the Saints returned zero points from the first five games, cost the team in 2014.
Judge said the players had benefitted from the learning curve this season. It will again serve them well for the match against Wallis Lake on Saturday at Boronia Park.
Judge looked forward to playing on the expansive ground.
"It's big, and that suits us,"?he said.
"And it's a good surface. If you're going to play an away finals match, that's where you want to play."
Read more about the FMNC Premier League finals in Friday's Port News.