RUBENS Camejo didn’t have to wait long to see what Sam Bailey was capable of.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Port Saints progressed to the next round of the FFA Cup on Wednesday night with a comprehensive 4-2 win over Taree Wildcats in Taree.
The Wildcats scored the first and last goals of the match, but it was the hat-trick of Bailey up front that had the coach talking.
“My comments that Sam Bailey would probably make the set up of any overseas club at his age proved true,” he said.
While Bailey was impressive, he was ably supported by Harry Amon and former Wauchope midfielder Logan Palmer.
Palmer also found the back of the net and terrorised his Wildcats opponent with regular bursts down the right hand flank.
“He gave their left fullback a hell of a time,” Camejo said.
Saints conceded the first goal of the match following a glancing defensive header that settled in the back of the net.
The Port Macquarie side then settled into the match with Bailey and Palmer proving effective in their roles, while Amon pulled the strings as a traditional number 10.
Camejo was pleased with the first-up performance and knows the challenge now is repeating the dose when the two sides clash again on Saturday.
“All the work we’ve been putting in came to fruition and you could see they were all itching to play a competitive match,” he said.
“Our speed in transition from defence to attack was very good.
“They all gave a good account of themselves.”