The Maclean Bobcats Football Club, sponsored by Maclean Bowling Club, hosted the undefeated competition leaders and Anzac Cup winners, the Bangalow Bluedogs in the weekends round of the FFNC Premier League and Championship League competitions.
With the two teams at opposite ends of the ladder many expected a routine win for the visitors, but it was anything but that and they will count themselves fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw and a high quality and highly entertaining encounter in Maclean.
In the Premier League, the two sides both started well but it was the Bobcats that had the first opportunity when they were awarded a penalty after 12 minutes. Brady Power-Casson stepped up for the second time in two games, but the soft ground gave way as his slipped in kicking stride, yet he still forced the Bangalow keeper to make a good save, thwarting what would have been a dream start for the Bobcats. Bangalow rode that good fortune and went a goal up on the half hour mark when the Bobcats were caught napping in defence and the Bluedogs livewire right winger nipped in at the far post to slam into the roof of the net and a 1-0 lead they took to the break.
Despite going to the sheds 1-0 down coach Jarrad Doyle would have been impressed with the Bobcats effort and performance and in the second half they put their foot down even more. Both teams playing possession-based football was making for an enthralling second half and in the 60th minute the Bobcats were level.
An enterprising build up down the right-hand side saw striker Zane Neilson cross to his strike partner Jarret Power-Casson with Doyle arriving as well. The ball eventually fell to Power-Casson, and he lashed a left foot drive from the edge of the area that ripped into the net to equalise. Neither team seemed prepared to settle for the draw and were now throwing everything at each other. It was the Bobcats with sustained pressure of five corners in a row and a late penalty shout that was turned down that seemed the most likely, but it would finish 1-1 in the end. The ever-dangerous Jarret Power-Casson was awarded the McMahon Electrical Man of the Match.
The Maclean Bobcats Championship League team are one of the freer scoring teams in the entire division and netted three times for the second week in a row. However defensive concentration lapses have proved costly and despite scoring that many times they have still tasted defeat in both encounters.
They were behind 1-0 after 10 minutes but Joel Power equalised soon after. The Bluedogs netted twice more before Harvey Mcewen pulled one back for the locals, but it was 4-2 by half time. The second half was a much tighter affair until a flurry of activity in the last 10 minutes saw three more goals. Will Menzies smashed home to give the locals hope before the Bluedogs shut the door with two more late goals, the second of which was the last kick of the game. That was cruel on the Bobcats with the 6-3 scoreline that doesn’t represent the closeness of the contest.
Youngster Mitchell Dick was awarded the Maclean Variety Meats Man of the Match as he continues to grow as a player in his first season with the Bobcats.
Next week the Bobcats Premier League have the bye but their Championship League team travel to take on Lismore Thistles in a game that their fortunes are due to turn around.