The Tuncurry Forster Tigers travelled to Port Macquarie with the goal of knocking off a top five team in their last game of the season, and if it wasn't for a desperate save from the Port Saints' keeper, they would've achieved it.
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Coach Scott Fletcher was happy with his young team's efforts against their more-fancied rivals, with the Tigers taking it to the finals-bound Saints and coming away with a 1-1 draw.
"It was a really good competitive game," he said.
Central-defender Troy Chipperfield enjoyed a strong performance in the windy conditions, earning himself man of the match honours.
Blair Smith, Corey Fletcher and goalkeeper Nathan Fryer also had good games, with Smith scoring the Tigers' lone goal.
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The Tigers' reserve grade team wasn't as fortunate, going down 1-0.
Fletcher said if it wasn't for the efforts of Rourke Banham the score could've been higher, with the goalkeeper pulling off three or four important saves.
He was named man of the match.
Both teams finished the season in seventh position on their respective ladders, out of contention for the upcoming finals.
Nonetheless, Fletcher said he was happy overall with the efforts of his two teams, putting their shortcomings down to youth and inexperience rather than a lack of ability or motivation.
"It was only inexperience that came against us," he said.
"Finding a way to win usually comes with experience."
The teams will now turn their attentions to an end of season trip and their presentation.
It will be held at the Bellevue Hotel, although a date is yet to be confirmed.
Looking at the remaining teams in the competition, Fletcher believed hometown rivals Wallis Lake would be hard to beat, predicting they'd meet Port United in the premier league grand final.
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