The Redbacks haven't lost two games on the trot since the opening two rounds of the previous season, and though it was an improved performance on the previous week against Port United, the result was still the same.

Meanwhile, Wallis Lake continued their undefeated run to stretch their lead to 7 points, leaving the Redmen to instead be fighting it out for second, third or fourth rather than the coveted minor premiership.

The return of Ryan Marjoribanks to the lineup after 11 weeks out injured seemed pivotal to the Havens’ strong start as he out-muscled his opponents in midfield and the home side dominated the opening exchanges.

Goals looked like they were just a matter of time and when Marjoribanks won another tussle in midfield, Toby Otto picked up the scraps and played quickly to the left for Jeremy Robinson. Robinson looked up and switched the play with a long range bullet pass behind the defensive line for Ryan Squires on the opposite side of the field. Squires met the ball with a solid touch just before the advancing Saints keeper and the Redbacks took the lead and control of the match with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

After the disappointment of the previous week, Simon Hancox was a contented Redbacks coach at half time.

"I felt like we were really in control of the match at that point and I was really pleased with the style of football we were playing. It felt as though more goals were just a matter of time as long we kept the ball moving."

But it was the Kempsey Saints side who came out firing and a poor defensive read by the Redbacks saw the Kempsey winger get in behind and after a goal mouth scrap the scores were level.

The Redbacks then allowed the frustration of the equaliser and some contentious refereeing decisions to get the better of them, and the control they showed in the first half had disappeared. Passes didn't find the mark like they should and the last half an hour became a disaster after defender Riley Jude was sent off in the latest example of referees cracking down on swearing, even though it was directed only at himself.

Kempsey didn't take long to take advantage of the extra man as they took the lead almost immediately with a deflected goal over Lachlan Peterson's head, and the final score would remain 2-1.

The Redbacks will welcome back their leading goal scorer Rob Holland next week who has missed the last three games due to university commitments, and not a moment too soon for coach Hancox.

"We have certainly missed him in the last few games, but Rob also won't be our saving grace if we continue to play the way we have recently.

“Take nothing away from Kempsey Saints, who really stepped up in the second half, but we just don't seem to be able to string together a full 90 minute performance at the moment.

“We have three games left to fix it before the finals start and that starts next week with a tough away trip to Taree, before taking on competition favourites Wallis Lake at home the following Saturday. It doesn't get any easier from here."

Premier League ladder. Wallis Lake (36), Redbacks (29), Tuncurry (27), Macleay Valley (25), Taree (24), Kempsey Saints (24), Port United (18), Port Saints (10), Port FC (10).

It was a tough match for the Redbacks Ladies on Saturday, as they took on second placed Kempsey Saints in Kempsey.

Off the back of a disappointing draw the week before, the Redbacks knew that a win would be a big ask against the strong Saints squad, but a competitive match was well within reach if the team played as they trained each week.

The start of the match saw the Redbacks dominating, with forwards Maria Wilson and Hannah Morson creating a number of opportunities. The midfield combination of Tegan Gray and Mia Windred held strong, and it seemed like the Redbacks were up for the challenge. However some fast forwards in the Saints squad finally managed to break free from the Redbacks midfield, and 20 minutes in, Saints took the lead 1-0.

From there Saints seemed to lift, but the Redbacks certainly didn’t stop trying. A goal just 10 minutes later to Saints though certainly did seem to take the wind out of the Redbacks.

A half-time talk from Coach Jose Ustariz motivated the Redbacks as they went back to the field, and the second half seemed to be evenly match once again. Despite the drive shown by the Redbacks, Saints were just too strong, and two goals in the second half sealed the game, with the final score being 4-0.

Despite the result, Coach Jose was still optimistic about the performance.

“The Ladies played well today. Saints are a top side, and have been for a number of years now. We expect them to make the Grand Final this year, so for our team to compete as they did today is a real credit to the players on the field.

“We certainly have areas we need to work on, and coming into finals, if we don’t improve on those areas we will be out of contention very quickly, but overall the team did well today.”

Next week sees the Redbacks at home for their last home match of the regular competition, as they take on Macleay Valley Rangers at 1:15pm. A strong home crowd is definitely welcome as the Ladies look to finish the season on a high.