PORT FC coach Mick Brown will soon see whether the bye has helped or hurt his side when the Blue Boys host Tuncurry Forster Tigers on Saturday.
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There were a couple of sore players in the squad before the weekend off, but Brown was worried it make for a slow start back in a tough match at Tuffins Lane.
The Tigers sit in third place, one point behind Wallis Lake and five adrift of the Football Mid North Coast Premier League leaders, Camden Haven Redbacks.
FC is languishing in sixth place, on nine points.
The team has a perfect home record to give it confidence. FC hasn't lost a match at Tuffins Lane in 2016.
The Tigers will put FC to the test.
"They're a good, young side," Brown said.
"It will be a tough game after the week off."
FC has a number of youngsters of its own. Harvey Kaye is among those pushing for a spot in first grade week in, week out.
Meanwhile, Port Saints hope to build on last weekend's draw in their match against Macleay Valley Rangers.
Saints shared the points with Kempsey Saints, in a pleasing result for coach Mark Rogers.
The Port team must keep going and bag more in the game at Dangar Street.
"We need to make sure we build on what we're doing," Rogers said.
"We've been working really hard, and I hope that's a sign we're on the right path.
"But it's nothing if we don't back that up."
The Rangers are perennial high achievers in the competition, and Rogers predicted they would be there again this season.
"Rangers always come good at the end," he said.
"Regardless of where they are earlier in the season."
In other games, Wallis Lake plays Camden Haven Redbacks and Kempsey Saints host Taree Wildcats.
Port United has the bye