Round five of the Coastal Premier League sees leaders Macleay Valley Rangers travel to Coffs Harbour to take on Boambee FC in our feature match north, while Taree Wildcats welcome second-placed Port Saints in our feature match south.
All fixtures for round four will be played at 8 pm (first grade) on Wednesday night as one of our mid-week rounds, which allows the full season to be completed by mid-October.
CPL Competitions Administrator and FMNC General Manager Bruce Potter says the mid-week fixtures are vital for the inaugural season.
“For three months of this year’s competition, we’re playing one mid-week round. This was done with the blessing of the clubs to ensure we had a full season of regular competition. Eighteen rounds mean each side players each other twice, so at the end of it the premiers are the indisputable premiers.”
The three-day turnaround will undoubtedly ask questions of all sides and test squad depth. It may also throw up a few surprise results as squads get the first taste of a rigorous season ahead.
Boambee Bombers v Macleay Valley Rangers
8.00 pm | Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park 2, Coffs Harbour
The competition leaders face 2019 premiers Boambee Bombers in round five in another crucial match for both sides. The Rangers have had an impressive start to the season, showing their strength when they held Coffs United to a 0-0 draw. They followed that performance with a comfortable 3-0 win at Taree in round four to elevate them to first place.
The Bombers pose a different threat again. Strong through the middle and with a dynamic front three, you feel the winner of this fixture will place themselves well for success for the rest of the season.
Bombers coach Jon Fergusson said his side would take a more familiar shape against Macleay, following a structural change against the Lions in round four.
“We’ll return to our usual approach for the game against Macleay Valley. They are unfamiliar to me, but they are clearly playing really well; they are very sharp and had a nil-nil draw against Lions last week, and currently leading the competition.”
“If we do play Wednesday night (as bad weather is forecast) we are expecting a lot of quality against Macleay Valley,” Fergusson said,
Kempsey Saints v Coffs City United (POSTPONED)
POSTPONED | Eden Street Fields, Kempsey
Coffs United’s strong start to the campaign came to a shuddering halt against the Bombers on Saturday night, a 1-0 loss that coach Glen Williams will want to make amends quickly.
“Every team in this competition deserves our respect, they’ve all shown quality in the opening rounds, and Wednesday night we will play our best 11 available to us. In this competition, you have to otherwise teams can punish you.”
“Everyone is really keen this year all the boys want to play, and as a coach, that’s what you want, so the best 11 will start each match available to us.”
Coffs Coast Tigers v Northern Storm
8.00 pm | York St, Coffs Harbour
Poor weather conditions saw Coffs Coast Tigers’ lose points in round four, as they led their match 4-2 against Kempsey Saints before half time. The match official called the game off for the safety of all players, and the fixture was deemed a 0-0 draw.
With circumstances not favouring the Tigers in round four, they will surely be up for the challenge when they face a strong Northern Storm outfit at home.
The Storm has had a decent start to the season, but they have more to give. With two wins and two losses, they typify the middle-of-the-pack squad battling for a top-four finish. Wednesday night is an excellent opportunity for both the Tigers and Storm to make a statement.
This match was scheduled to be played at Polwarth Drive, Coffs Harbour, but will now be played at York Street, Coffs Harbour.
Taree Wildcats v Port Saints
8.00 pm | Taree Zone Field, Taree
Port Saints travel south to Taree on Wednesday night to take on the Wildcats. The Saints are the in-form team of the competition, with three wins on the trot and six goals scored in the last two matches. The Wildcats, on the other hand, have had an underwhelming start to the season, but over the past two weeks, they’ve shown their capabilities.
Their first win of the season was against the FMNC 2019 Premiers Port United, and in round four they played well against Macleay Valley, who needed to be at their best to take the three points.
Taree could be the Saints’ stumbling block on Wednesday night, in what will be a very entertaining fixture.
Sawtell FC v Port United FC
8.00pm | Toormina Oval, Toormina.
Port United are on the road again on Wednesday night, this time headed to Toormina Oval to take on Sawtell FC. United will look to extend their winning ways, but the Sawtell youngsters have proven a tough side in their first four rounds.
Another tough fixture for the Scorpions, who have struggled since their Round One win against Kempsey Saints. A win is needed for Jody Jenkins squad, and against Port United would be a massive confidence boost.
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