WALLIS Lake successfully defeated long time rivals the Macleay Valley Rangers at Harry Elliot Oval on Saturday to earn themselves a spot in next weekend’s grand final.
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The local side dominated for the majority of the match and looked like they had the game wrapped up only for the visitors to mount a comeback which saw the game go down to the wire.
Coach Herb Klemperer was pleased to finally have a full strength squad to field against the visitors from Kempsey.
The game started quickly and the visitors wasted no time in making their intentions clear, stopping attacking raids any way they could, occasionally relying on rough tactics to ensure goal scoring opportunities were limited.
A foul by a Rangers’ defender saw a free kick awarded from 25 yards out and dead ball specialist Mitch Yarnold stepped up.
Yarnold didn’t disappoint the home crowd supporters with a cracking strike that caught the goal keeper out, struck the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line for a 1-nil lead after just 10 minutes.
Minutes later, Yarnold had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury which resulted in youngster Ethan Perry being brought onto the field.
Perry wasted little time injecting himself in to the game, when he was in the right place to pick up a loose ball after a long range strike from Beau Wynter.
Perry’s delicate touch on the ball setup his shot, which he smashed past the helpless Rangers’ goal keeper, putting his side up 2-nil.
The away side were stunned, as they’re used to starting games strongly and pushed long balls forward in an attempt to pressure the Wallis Lake backline.
However, the home side were playing confidently with an impressive share of possession and a passing game that gave the Rangers little chances in the first half.
The half time talk was positive and so was the start of the second half. The speed of strikers Roan Whiteman and Peter Masterantonio caused havoc for the Rangers’ back three and on 60 minutes midfielder Ryan Folkes hit a superb long range shot that curved over the goal keeper’s head and struck the underside of the crossbar.
Whiteman had chased the shot in and was first to react slamming the ball into the net from a metre out.
Moments later it was nearly all over for the Rangers when Masterantonio’s long range effort was destined for the goal only to hit the inside of the post and safely in to the goal keepers’ hands.
With 20 minutes left to play, the momentum swung and a brilliant strike caught out Wallis Lake goal keeper Adam Salt, as he saw the ball sail over him in to the goal.
This spurred on the away side who attacked with real aggression and inside ten minutes scored a second goal after the ball came loose from Salt’s grasp and the striker was on hand to slot the ball home.
At 3-2, the Kempsey side threw everything at Wallis Lake and the resolute defensive work was just holding on.
The home side should have been punished for a loose ball in the penalty area after a Ranger’s corner but they were let off after the Ranger’s fullback blazed the ball high over the crossbar from close range.
The final whistle sounded and Wallis Lake deservedly got the 3-2 win although the heart shown by the Rangers to come back so strongly should be merited.
Macleay Valley will now play Port United in the knockout semi-final after Port United brushed aside Camden Haven with a comfortable 4-1 win.
Wallis Lake will have a week off to prepare for the grand final which will be played at Port Regional Stadium on Saturday September 20.
The club would like to thank the local crowd who turned up on Saturday night - their enthusiasm and vocal support certainly played a huge part in Wallis Lake holding on for the win.
Reserve Grade
WALLIS Lake reserve grade side challenged Port United for the third time this season.
Port United started strongly scoring two goals inside the opening 20 minutes which had the home side chasing the game.
On the stroke of half time, a reckless challenge by a Port United player saw a red card given and the Wallis Lake side pushed hard to get back in the game against 10 men.
Striker Jarryd Gear maintained his goal scoring run with a tidy finish that got the score back to 2-1 but in the end it wasn’t enough with Wallis Lake running out of time to find an equaliser.
Port United have advanced through to the grand final. Wallis Lake will now take on the Macleay Valley Rangers in this Saturday’s knockout semi-final.