Lapses of concentration and defensive errors have proven to be a problem for Northern Storm throughout their entire Coastal Premier League campaign.
It was a similar story against Coffs City United last weekend where they were competitive, but still went down 3-0.
Coach Eric McCarthy will look to turn that 45-minute performance last weekend into a 90-minute effort this Saturday when they host Sawtell.
“We went toe-to-toe with Coffs United until halftime, then it was two errors and two goals and once Coffs United get two goals ahead you’re not catching them,” McCarthy said.
The Storm head into the clash with the Scorpions confident with a 2-0 defeat still sitting in the back of their minds.
But Sawtell have improved over the last fortnight and won’t be taken lightly.
“They’re very good footballers and their results are getting better from the start of the season,” McCarthy said.
“They have a very good coach in Jody Jenkins who knows what he’s doing, so they’re not to be taken lightly.”
The Scorpions had a surprise 1-all draw against Boambee to show for their effort last weekend.
“They’re well-drilled and technically good but I think the physicality and speed of playing senior football is what’s catching them out,” McCarthy said.
“They are probably 75 to 90 per cent under-17 and coming out of the North Coast Football NPL program.”
Sawtell coach Jody Jenkins said the games continued to come thick and fast which had left him with almost skeleton staff to pick his squad from.
But he said the result last weekend had provided them with a boost in confidence.
“We only had 10 players available last weekend and it was probably the first game we played with a bit of heart and desire not to concede,” he said.
“We gave away a cheap goal off a corner and the boys threw everything at the game and didn’t want to lose.”
Other matches on Saturday include Boambee hosting North Coast while Coffs City United will host Coffs Coast Tigers.
Coastal Football Leagues 