The Tigers' faint hopes of a first grade semi-final berth were kept alive on Saturday, August 19 with a 2-nil away win at a bumpy, rock-hard and dusty Findlay Park in Port Macquarie against a Port Saints side comfortably in second place on the ladder.
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The elements were a real factor in the match, with the howling southerly and uneven bounce making it near impossible for either side to play football of the quality they have shown at times through the season.
Early Tigers nerves were settled when some good combination play down the right flank involving Callum Smith, Codey Chick and Blair Smith saw Mitch Minors put the visitors in front with a deft front post finish at around the 10 minute mark.
From then on, genuine scoring chances were hard to come by in the first half, but both sides could have made more of the chances they did have.
The Saints almost drew level when Jamieson smashed a free kick against the crossbar late in the half.
The second half saw the Tigers with the strong wind at their tails, and they tried to press their advantage, only to be met with some very strong resistance from the home side. Saints looked to be trying some different patterns of play, and appeared to rest a couple of players at half time. They were still causing the Tigers some headaches.
Flynn Goodman and Aaron Grose in particular asked some questions of the Tigers’ defensive group and after a period of being under sustained pressure the visitors managed to make the match secure via the head of Daniel Barry. A Matt Whight free kick was parried by the home side's keeper, and Barry was on hand to nod the rebound home. The final score: Port Saints FC 0 Tuncurry Forster Football Club 2.
Blair Smith was player's player for the Tigers, with good performances from Troy Chipperfield, Curtis Jones and Chick.
The Tigers now look to next weekend where a win against Wauchope at Fairmont Gardens is absolutely crucial, with other results then needing to go the Tigers' way for a finals place to be secured.
Other results from round 17 of the competition saw Wallis Lake defeat Macleay Valley 2-1, Port United accounted for Camden Haven 3-1 and Kempsey Saints defeated Wauchope 3-2. Taree had the bye.
