A COUPLE of reserve graders will get well-deserved starts in the top side tomorrow when Port United hosts Kempsey Saints in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League.
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Striker Matt Broderick and midfielder Michael McCullogh both scored twice in the team’s 4-1 win over Camden Haven in reserves last week.
They will play a part in firsts tomorrow at Dixie Park as United looks to recover from the loss of Joe Shelmerdine.
McCullogh has come to United from Adelaide, and coach Chris Walsh will welcome him into first grade.
Walsh said it was proof that if you were scoring goals, a spot in the top team beckoned.
“They’ve been promoted on merit,” Walsh said of McCullogh and Broderick.
The reserve graders have dominated the competition thus far in 2015.
There’s plenty of experience in the team, with names like Nathan Wade, Damien Cross, Tony Raymond and Cody Boylan.
Then there’s the group of blokes pushing for firsts spots every week.
“We want to get first grade as dominant as reserves,” Walsh said.
Kempsey Saints knocked over United in a trial match at Koala Street back in March.
Walsh said the northern opponents had mixed returns so far this season.
“Hot and cold, looking at the results,” he said.
“We’ll prepare like they will be hot.”
Walsh looked forward to the return of Josh Casey in coming weeks.
He’s back in Port Macquarie after a brief run with Maitland FC in the State League.
The talented midfielder would only come back stronger after having trained alongside former Socceroo Matt Thompson.
United will follow up Saturday’s match with a catch-up fixture against Tuncurry Forster Tigers next Thursday night.
That match will kick off at 8.15pm at Dixie Park, after reserve grade’s 6.30pm timeslot.
Saints call on Goodwin to help de-claw Wildcats
PORT Saints will look to an old head to lead them around the park tomorrow in a match against a typically tough opposition down south.
The Saints will take on Taree Wildcats at Omaru Park, and with a couple of players missing, victory could be a hard ask.
The Wildcats beat the Saints twice last season, in matches at Port and Taree.
One was a convincing win, while the second was just 2-1 against a vastly improved Saints at Findlay Park.
Former club captain Matt Goodwin should play a key role in Taree tomorrow.
He’s worked hard for Saints after missing the first couple of rounds this season.
The Englishman Goodwin trains well and plays a senior role in the team.
“He brings a lot to our team,” Judge said.
“He’s a good leader for us.”
Luke Rogers will take over from Dean Holmes in an attacking role out wide.
Rogers has big shoes to fill. Holmes has had no trouble in hitting the back of the net this season.
Judge was confident Rogers would do well in that position.
“He’s played there in the last couple of years,” he said.
“Hopefully he can cement his spot in first grade.”
Utility player Trent Carroll won’t take to the park, with a niggling injury ruling him out of the match.
“We’ve got a few minor bumps and bruises,” Judge said.
Davies: FC can continue to fire
PORT FC skipper Nick Davies is confident his team can put a bad season start behind it to do well in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League in 2015.
FC bagged its first win of the season a fortnight ago against defending premier Wallis Lake, and with a new formation and some added confidence, Davies said another win would follow.
The Port team will play against Tuncurry Forster Tigers at South Street.
Davies arrived at FC last season, so he hasn’t played against the Tigers yet. They were promoted again this season.
“They’re a bit of an unknown,” Davies said.
He pointed to a formation change by coaching staff as a key to beating Lake at Tuffins Lane.
“After a couple of below-par performances against Saints and Taree, we felt we really needed to change something,” he said.
FC was too good for Lake, winning 2-1.
“To get a win like that against Lake was even more memorable,” Davies said.
He looked forward to building on it tomorrow.
FC will miss Tom Salter in the middle of the park. Salter has made the step up from reserve grade.
He’s calm on the ball, and tough. Salter copped a couple of big hits but got up and kept going.
Davies enjoys having Salter in front of the defenders.
“He’s a bit of protection in front of the back four,” he said.