The ladies struggled to field a team on Saturday. There were seven players out and an eighth only able to play half a game.

 “We only had 10 players available and just nine for our second half,” Burns said.

“Coming up against a team like Wauchope, who are very strong, you can’t afford to be short. You have to be bringing your A-Game.” 

Three under 18s put their hand up to step up – Jesse Morgan, Angela Lee and Brieanna Rumsby.

“Thanks to Jesse, Angela and Brieanna, we were able to field a side,” Burns said.

“With so many changes to our line-up though, we did not know how we would go.

“As a coach, you can feel incredibly powerless when you have limited options available.

“Before the match, I just asked my team to give it their all.

“I asked them to be committed and passionate, to have confidence in themselves and their abilities because every player brings so much to the team.

“I did not know how we would go but I wanted us to go into the match fighting.” 

The pre-game motivation seemed to work and the Redbacks started the match in fine form.

The Redbacks were able to dictate the course of the game and while goal scoring opportunities for the Redbacks were few and far between, the level of possession meant that the opportunities for Wauchope were even less.

Midfielders Bri St Ledger and Lani Slade worked tirelessly in the middle, creating chances, and shutting down Wauchope’s run of play.

Amelia Clacher who is also an under 18 for the club played potentially her best game of the season out wide, not only providing support for the backs but just as quick creating opportunities for the forwards.

Similarly Aishar Hamdan ran all day and created all sorts of chances with her speed and tenacity.

Up front Shannaye Hartland, Brieanna Rumsby and Angela Lee were a headache for the Wauchope defence.

Lee was unlucky not to connect to a perfectly placed cross early in the first half, for what would have been a goal to remember. 

The turning point for the game though came when a goal kick found St Ledger, who was able to defeat the last line of defence. In a one-on-one with the Wauchope keeper she showed great skill in being able to calmly place the ball outside the reach of the keeper and into the net for a 1-0 lead.

“At half-time we were buoyed by our performance and our lead but we were also tired,” Burns said. 

“A number of niggling injuries were reappearing, with sweeper Yas Egan already having had to come off in the final minutes due to a reoccurring dislocating hip.

The team had already given it their all but we needed to do it again for 40 minutes. This was going to be our danger half.”

Just like the first half though, the Redbacks somehow found it within themselves to push on.

Slade and St Ledger were once again strong and dominated Wauchope in the middle and supported the Redbacks’ defence.

“The quality of our defence on Saturday, particularly in the second half, was second-to-none,” Burns said.

“It was a completely new combination for us, with Yas Egan and Hannah Morson holding the centre, while Jesse Morgan and Sonya Bell held the left and right.

“These girls did not give up for one second and their teamwork to cover for each other and their drive to shut everything down meant Wauchope’s chances remained limited.

“Keeper Maddie Newman made some great saves, took some big hits. As she is due depart to the US for three weeks with the Australian Futsal Team we’ll certainly have to continue to work hard to ensure we maintain a healthy for and against on the ladder.”

This weekend sees the ladies with the match off, with only catch-up games scheduled to be played. The following week will see the Ladies travel to Kempsey to take on Kempsey Saints.  

It was an intense week of soccer for the Redbacks Premier League men, as they competed in two matches over five days. 

Fortunately graced with a bye the weekend before, Tuesday night saw the men playing a catch-up match against Port United.

In Reserve Grade new players (or rather returning players) Paul Eames, Josh Robinson and Jason Timperlay helped to add not just numbers but also a great level of depth and experience to the team.

Despite the final score of 2-1 to United, the match showcased some great potential for the boys for the back end of the season.

Unfortunately though the quick turnaround meant some players were subsequently unavailable for Saturday’s match against Port Saints.

As with the ladies, a number of Under 18s stepped up, including Luke Roe, Zac Alchin, Logan Kuhn and Harrison Taylor, highlighting once again the commitment and passion many of the club’s up-and-coming juniors have for not just the game, but for the club.

The match also saw some of the club’s senior players backup after their over 35s Wednesday night incredible victory, with Jose Ustariz, Simon Hancox and Ryan Barker (who went on to backup again for First Grade) stepping up to the plate.

Alchin’s efforts saw him awarded Player of the Match but ultimately Port Saints were too strong and the Redbacks were defeated 3-0. 

In First Grade, Tuesday’s catch-up proved as a reminder to all Clubs in the competition that no game will be an easy match.

With the Redbacks coming into the match at the bottom of the ladder, and Port United sitting third, a betting person may have placed all their chips with the home side.

However the Redbacks played hard and showed incredible commitment as a team, limiting United’s chances and making plenty of their own.

It was a tough match on a heavy ground after all the recent rain, but the Redbacks dug deep and came away with a pleasing 0-0 draw. 

On Saturday, that same tenacity continued to shine through as Redbacks took on second placed Port Saints.

Despite a send-off in the first half, leaving the Redbacks with just 10 men for 65 minutes, the Redbacks certainly provided the younger Port Saints side with a challenge.

The breakthrough for the Redbacks came off an incredible free kick by ultimate Man of the Match Aiden Shaw when Shaw curled the ball around the defensive wall, and into the near corner, in a shot that professional players long to do their entire careers. 

Despite being up 1-0 at half time, the loss of a Redbacks player took its toll late in the second half, and eventually Saints found their equaliser.

Whilst the Redbacks may have been disappointed at not coming away with the three points, the passion the remaining boys showed on the field was certainly evident of Redback spirit.

Defenders Ryan Marjoribanks and Riley Papas are proving unstoppable together, whilst the efforts of Ben Maikin, Shannon Ravoul and Toby Otto, in what was his last game for the Redbacks, was second-to-none. 

As with the ladies, this week sees the Premier League men with the weekend off, before also travelling to Kempsey to take on Kempsey Saints.

The only senior match this week will be the club’s Over 35s, as they take on Port Saints in Laurieton at 6:30pm on Wednesday.

Supporters are encouraged to bring their beanies and come down and support the men, in what always promises to be an enjoyable match.