Oxley Vale Attunga and Tamworth FC will be striving for that finishing touch when they clash in the Northern Inland Premier League fourth round at Johnson Field on Saturday.
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Both Mushies coach Tim Coates and his FC counterpart Greg Bartlett highlighted finishing as an area their respective sides need to improve.
“We still don’t finish the chances we create properly,” Bartlett said.
“Last week we won 2-1 but we probably would have created nine or 10 chances.”
The Mushies had to settle for a 1-all draw with Norths United.
“We were very good at hitting the post, hitting the cross bar and hitting players on the line,” Coates said adding that they spent a fair bit of Thursday night’s training session practicing their shooting.
That is really his only complaint. They’re good in the air and good off their set pieces.
He has had to make a couple of changes with Glen McKnight and Tim Smith both attending a wedding.
“But we welcome back James Bailey and Michael Cooke,” Coates said.
Only a point ahead of FC, Coates said they were feeling a bit flat after the draw.
“Obviously we felt we played pretty well against Norths United and to only get a point they were disappointed,” he said.
“It’s a matter of bouncing back from that.”
They will be facing an understrength FC side, with Kameron Manks, Ben Davis and Ross Price all suspended, but still threatening, Coates singling out Matt Gardner, Hayden Davidson, Travis Beard, Kurt Barrow and Beau Langenbaker up front as players they need to monitor closely.
Bartlett said it is going to be a bit of a test for his side.
“They’re just a good team. They haven’t won the first grade title for three years for no reason,” he said.
He identified the midfield as where they really need to match up to the Mushies.
“If you can hold them there you’ve got a chance but you’ve got to make sure you hold them there,” he said.
“If you don’t do your job, Adam Watson and Chris Fenton will come streaming through there.”