Head coach Paul Pomroy with a couple of changes dictated by injury and availability bought in Josh McGovern into an attacking position and Lockie Indian-Manning to midfield, with season 2017 set for kick-off this weekend not too many more opportunities for Pomroy to tweak a side that were 2016 grand finalists.

The changes certainly looked effective early on as Tim Ruprecht combined well with McGovern to produce the opening goal on 8 minutes. Plenty of slick play to that point too as the Raiders pressed the Rangers, Macca able to steer a ball from Ben Dooley for Ruprecht to side foot in.

Well executed and while the Rangers were looking a little unorganised in defence their attack came in the form of a 15 yr old Sam Applegate (well he turns 16 in November) his ability on the ball undoubted as he ran at defenders and was able to draw a penalty on 15 minutes after threading between two Raider defenders and going down inside the penalty area.

Looked a tad soft with minimal contact but the intuitive move had centre referee Bruce Mackie pointing at the spot as Applegate bounced off the firm pitch. Paul Thurborough absolutely lashed in the penalty to make it 1-1 (I mean Matt Smith the Raiders keeper was thanking his lucky stars the ball didn’t hit him such was the velocity).

The raiders responded with two goals before the break (McGovern and Asama Radford) both goals at the end of sharp attack, great movement of players and a fluidity of play that Pomroy post-match described as the style of play he wants the lads to consistently produce amen to that!

The second half perhaps not quite as sharp as the first, tiring legs etc. but still excellent attack from Urunga and just good football to be producing at this early stage of the season. McGovern like the proverbial dog in a butchers shop looking for openings energising the attack aided by Grant Homes and Jai Waddick. The Raiders went to 4-1 after Jake Leslie floated a cross over the Rangers defence which initially looked over hit but Tim Ruprecht judged the flight to perfection and unmarked nodded in the simplest of headers for 4-1.

The Rangers shortly thereafter awarded their second penalty in a déjà vu moment, Applegate brought down in the penalty area and Thurgborough thundering in his second penalty with ferocity the equal of his first for 4-2.

The Kempsey side went to 4-3 after Applegate was able to beat Smith to a bouncing ball and lob a shot over the advancing keeper. Raining goals at the southern fields for sure and perhaps the best strike came only moments before full time as Paul Thurborough hammered a half volley from all of 36 meters, I mean it was hit sweetly, with venom and although Smith got the direction right the ball was in the net before the diving Smith hit the ground to give a final 4-4 score line.

So this weekend and round 1 of season 2017 North Coast Premier League which will have the Raiders up against the Boambee Bombers on Sunday at the Cabbage Patch kick off at 12 and 2pm, go U Raiders!