PORT Macquarie FC travelled south to Tuncurry on Saturday, and despite a late change to its side, came away with a draw against the Tigers.
Port won 4-1 in a wet game at Tuncurry, after it was moved there from Tuffins Lane because of the weather.
Port FC had to reshuffle its pack shortly before kick-off due to defender Dylan Baker’s absence through illness.
Midfielder Dane Seymour stepped into the sweeper role for the absent Scott Spokes and Paddy Coelho came in for Baker in the centre of midfield.
The game had plenty of action in the cold and drizzly conditions.
Port FC struck first through young striker Aaron Grose, who cleverly placed the ball past the Tuncurry keeper after some excellent passages of play from Port FC.
The Tigers stole the limelight five minutes later with a spectacular volley from outside the 18 yard box, which ricocheted in off the upright to level the scores.
Although stunned, Port FC continued to maintain its dominance in the early exchanges and despite allowing a number of scoring opportunities to pass them by, the visitors could sense that more goals were coming.
Diminutive striker Grose edged FC ahead when he struck again after 25 minutes.
Grose skirted around his defender and curled the ball round the outstretched keeper and into the back of the net.
FC striker Matt Edwards got in on the action five minutes from halftime, to give his side a 3-1 lead.
An FC corner found Edwards unmarked at the front post and in a clever effort, Edwards used his chest to deflect the low cross into the back of the net.
The second half saw much of the action occur in the centre of the field and FC claimed the only goal of the half from the penalty spot.
Grose stepped up to slot the penalty into the bottom corner and claim his hat-trick.
Grose was injured shortly after and had to be replaced by Jake Avery.
Despite clearing the FC bench the scorers weren’t troubled again.
Tuncurry, though, had a goal disallowed for offside.
Port FC remains undefeated after the win, and now sits second on the competition ladder on 22 points, two points behind the Taree Wildcats.
