With both clubs having suffered losses of late, both the Camden Haven Redbacks and Kempsey Saints were keen to bring home a win and put their respective seasons back on track.

Reserve Grade saw four Under 18’s step up to bolster the numbers for the home side, with a number of these players on their Reserve Grade debut.

The contest was a tight one, with both Redbacks and Saints having chances in the first half. Redbacks Keeper Daniel Morgan made some incredible saves, including saving a penalty to help keep the Redbacks in the game, but alas a goal late in the first half was all the advantage Kempsey Saints needed.

The second half saw the Redbacks dig deep, with the forwards pushing hard for the equaliser. Defensively the Redbacks held tight, keeping the visitors at bay. However by the full-time whistle, it was the one that got away which came back to haunt the team, with the Redbacks going down 1-0.

Also determined for a win, First Grade took to the field at a furious pace. The home side had the balance of play in the first half, but a dangerous tackle on playmaker Rob Holland saw Holland taken from the field, and the field dynamics changed somewhat as the Redbacks adapted to their new formation.

With the scores level at 0-0 at half-time, the Redbacks reshuffled and regrouped. The strategy proved successful when a superb finish by Sam Ward saw the Redbacks 1-0 up, and the Redbacks mentality shift a gear. But Kempsey Saints proved themselves to be a formidable opponent, and ten minutes later, a long range free kick deflected and found its way into the goals unchallenged.

With scores tied at 1-1, both teams became desperate to take the win, but it was the visitors who seemed to lift whilst the home side struggled to make chances. The momentum worked in the visitors favour, with a second goal not long after finding the back of the net, and giving Kempsey Saints a 2-1 victory.

Coach Billy Roe was positive, even if a little disappointed after the match.

“We played some good hard games today in Premier League,” he said. 

“Both teams deserved more today, but once again that final ball eluded us.

“It was a huge effort from the boys, but it certainly feels like an opportunity missed.

“We’ll be back to winning ways soon though I’m sure if we keep playing like that.”

This week sees the men with a bye, before travelling to Port Macquarie to take on Port Saints on June 2.

It was a strong and much improved performance from the Camden Haven Redbacks Ladies team, as they took on Upper Macleay Yowies on Saturday, May 19 in Laurieton.

Off the back of some heavy losses to some top teams, the Redbacks were looking for a strong game to turn their season around. Sporting a revised structure, the Redbacks headed into the match, determined to be the dominant side.

The chances came early for the home side, and the bulk of the game predominantly under their control. The forward line-up of Shannaye Hartland, Tamara Burns and Amelia Clacher certainly had the visitors’ defence working hard. If not for some good saves by the goalkeeper, the home side would have been away with a lead very early on. Persistence seemed to be the key to success on the day, and 20 minutes in, some good teamwork from midfielders Wade Bellamy, Mia Windred and Hartland, saw Hartland score a perfectly placed goal from the far right, into the far top corner, giving the Redbacks a 1-0 lead.

The chances continued to come, with Ashlee Power, Burns and Clacher all unlucky not to score in the first half. But the Yowies defence held tight, and with scores still only at 1-0 at half-time, the Redbacks knew the game was far from over.

Buoyed by the break, the Redbacks went out strong once again in the second half, and continued to dominate. Fuelled by an unmatched level of determination, Power seemed to be the X-Factor player the Redbacks needed, and sure enough, 15 minutes into the second half, Power was rewarded for her commitment, with a beautifully well-placed goal, giving the Redbacks a 2-0 lead, and a bit of breathing space.

The visitors though were undeterred, and almost spurred into action by the goal. Some great defence by the Redbacks Alicia Bales, Jesse Morgan, Maria Wilson, Tamara Dixon, Aishar Hamdan and Sonya Bell saw the Yowies shut down multiple times with the calm and finesse of a well-oiled defensive line. However a well timed through-ball for the Yowies as the Redbacks pushed for an offside saw the Yowies one-on-one with Redbacks Keeper Joanne Jones. Despite a number of brilliant saves already, the Yowies made no mistake, bringing the scores back to 2-1 with 10 minutes to go.

With both sides seemingly wishing for the full-time whistle, it was all hands on deck to hold out the charging Yowies, and continue to create chances for the Redbacks. But as the final whistle blew, it was the Redbacks who came away with the points, and more importantly, the much needed confidence boost.

Player Tamara Burns was impressed after the game. 

“We’ve had three big losses over the past weeks, and we desperately needed a strong game to remind ourselves that we are good enough,” she said. 

“The girls played well together, many in new positions, but still they gave it their all, and I think at times, impressed themselves with what they could do.

“Now the key is to build on it, as we continue on into the season.”

Next week sees the Ladies travel to Kempsey to take on Macleay Valley Rangers at 1:15pm.