The Raiders run of wins and the competition ended last weekend in symmetrical fashion at Wherret Park, Maclean. Round 1 of the North Coast Football competition had the Raiders v Bobcats same venue that game 1-1 a penalty apiece and a good start for the travelers in that first hit-out of the season… this time not so good.
The Bobcats took the lead on 31 minutes after a sustained period of pressure and that would be 30 minutes of it. The Raiders in the early parts of the first half had their defence set but could not seem to hold the ball for any period of time the Bobcats putting plenty of pressure on denying the Raiders time on the ball. Even with the aid of a strong northly wind the Urunga side could do little to mount an offensive to trouble Bobcats goal keeper and former Raider’s player Graham Greenkeeper who has hippied up somewhat in the bohemian atmosphere of Maclean.
Jeremy Walters who’d caused Nipper Orr plenty of angst so far broke down the left side and alarm bells must’ve been ringing in the Raiders back four, in mean this guy can run like the wind blows. Having turned left at the byline Walters measured his cross and found Issac McClymount on the far post to thump in the first and only goal of the match – and that with his first touch of the game (came on as substitute).
Not an insurmountable problem for the travelers as they headed to the sheds through the parochial Bobcats crowd, but certainly a concern. On reflection the Bobcats had controlled most of the game to that point leaving the Raiders had only fleeting opportunities in the first half. Allan Snow in the 8th minute flashed his header at the near-post agonizingly close, Harry Gale picked up a ball at the top of the box his shot blocked by the heart an soul of the Bobcats Grant Neilsen. The half finished at 1-0 and the Bobcats would have the aid of the strong northly breeze for the next 45 minutes.
The break sadly didn’t bring the change of fortune required for the Raiders as Maclean once more attacked. Dom Kelly, Nic Orr and Jaxen Heward all had put their bodies on the line more than once as Fraser Robinson and Co. gathered for the fray. That said the Raiders best opportunities came in the second stanza, the desperation of elimination becoming evident. And when Brad Wilkes was replaced by Lee ‘butter bean’ Kennedy it was all or northing for McCoy’s boys. The final 15 minutes had all the stuff that the supporters had travelled so far for clever interchange of passing, Edwardo ‘fabio’ Olivera back from life threatening injury in the first half taking defenders on and slipping dangerous balls for Snowy and Harry Gale to look for. Macca being devilish around the fringes dancing past defenders but the Bobcats marshaled their defenses around Neilsen and would not let go of the slender 1 goal advantage.
As tears splash the keyboard I must report that the dream is over the Raiders have finished 3rd in the North Coast Premier League Football competition and will watch not play this weekend, McCymount’s 31st minute strike enough to send the Bobcats deservedly through ahh such is life and football.
The Raiders won’t be without male representation this weekend at the Stadium. The boy’s u/14’s are through via a 2-0 win over minor premiers Woolgoolga. The burner aka Nathan Byrne scoring both in what must have been a feel good day for him. Nick ‘I love Maths‘ O’Mallane, Kale ‘toot’ Teece and Jake ‘tazza’ Tarrant all putting in big efforts on the day. The women will be represented in 1st and 2nd division after 3rd division went down 3-2 to Dorrigo goals to Maddy Tarrant and Zoe Pryor there for the Raiders. Don’t forget the club presentation Sat 26th September at Urunga Bowling Club see Donna Navin; also the Raiders Summer 6 A Side nominations close this Friday contact Tom Campbell if you are putting a team in. Good luck to all sides this weekend.
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