PORT FC shared the points with Macleay Valley Rangers in a gripping contest with plenty of feeling on Saturday at Macquarie Park.
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The host side twice came back from behind to secure a 3-3 draw in the season opener which had it all.
There were two red cards and plenty of yellows handed out as the game got fiery.
Aaron Grose scored for FC before getting an early shower. The other two goalscorers were Ben Foulis and Mitch Davis.
All three drew praise from coach Tony Wilson after the match.
Foulis struck first for FC after Rangers had gone ahead in the first half.
The sides traded goals throughout the encounter and Grose’s second yellow came when the match was evenly poised.
MVR took advantage of the extra man before a red for Jeremy Masters evened up the numbers.
Davis bagged the third FC goal, with a looping header that found its way into the back of the net.
FC coach Tony Wilson was happy with the result which came under trying
circumstances.
Wilson said his team had struggled against Rangers in the past, making Saturday’s result all the more pleasing.
“I’m more than happy with a point from the first game of the season,” Wilson said.
He lamented some missed opportunities as the players tired and the field opened up.
“We had a bit more towards the end of the game but we just didn’t capitalise,” Wilson said.
“I thought Ben Foulis made some great inroads down that left touchline.”
FC will take on Old Bar in round two next weekend. Wilson’s side will have midfielder Dylan Baker back on board but Grose’s speed in attack will be missed.
“That’s going to be a loss,” Wilson said.
Lake too good for United at Dixie Park
WALLIS Lake got the jump on Port United for the new Football Mid North Coast Premier League season on Saturday, with a 2-1 victory at Dixie Park in the grand final replay.
Sam Taylor scored United’s only goal of the contest. Taylor found the net with 10 minutes to go and give United hope of stealing a point.
The Green Bloods also hit the bar and the post in the dying minutes.
Earlier, Lake was the slicker of the teams in the first half. The southern opponent took advantage of a United defensive error to take the lead.
The second goal conceded was also “soft”, according to United coach Chris Walsh.
“It came from not clearing the back third,” he said.
Walsh was disappointed to miss out on points in the season opener, but wasn’t too disheartened by United’s performance.
“I’m pleased we’re within striking distance at this point,” he said.
“We will only improve as the season goes on.”
The reserve grade match ended 1-1, with Kaleb Langbien scoring United’s goal. Eoghan Barltrop and Langbien were standouts, Walsh said.
