In a tight tussle the Camden Haven Redbacks gave up a 1-0 lead to lose the qualifying final 2-1 to the Tuncurry Tigers on Saturday.
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A win on Saturday would have seen the Redbacks go straight into a grand final qualifier against Wallis Lakes, but they'll now have to do it the hard way; in an elimination semi-final this weekend against Taree at Laurieton.
The first 20 minutes was an arm wrestle as both sides tried to gain the upper hand, with few genuine chances happening for either side.
The Redbacks settled into the game and, with only a couple of minutes remaining in the half, took a lead after Toby Otto and Ryan Squires worked together before Squires threaded a ball behind the defensive line for Holland, who finished confidently past the Tuncurry keeper.
The Redbacks were buoyant at the break and coach Simon Hancox felt they were in control of the match.
“Although we weren't completely dominating, I felt justified we were in the lead after playing some good, tough football and I felt we were the better team in the opening stanza," Hancox said.
Tuncurry continued to search for a ball in behind the Redbacks’ defensive line as the second half began. The equaliser came from a Tuncurry free kick. Some loose marking saw a Tigers’ player get a simple ball across the face of goal to an unmarked striker who slotted the ball past the Redbacks’ keeper.
Minutes later, a sloppy turnover caught the Reds napping and a long ball over the defenders on half way saw the Tuncurry striker too quick for the Redbacks as he got behind and finished well. It was a frustrating period in the game for the Redbacks coach.
“We basically went to sleep for a 10 minute period and it cost us dearly,” Hancox said.
“After the second goal I thought we worked tirelessly to find the equaliser and dominated for long periods of the half. But with the weight of possession and numerous chances in front of goal, we just could not find the back of the net as Tuncurry hung on for dear life and secured their first appearance in a grand final qualifier.”
It will be a tough match against Taree this Saturday, with a victory each previously this season when opposing each other. In what will be the Redbacks’ final home game for the season, supporters are encouraged to turn out in big numbers to cheer the boys to the next stage of the finals.
