The new Maclean Bobcats FC coaching team of Jarred Doyle and Adam Penfold got their first glimpse of their teams in match conditions when they travelled to Coffs Harbour to take on the strong Coffs Coast Tigers on their home ground. Despite narrow losses in both games, both coaches and supporters who made the trip liked what they saw in two highly entertaining matches.
The Premier League fixture could not have started better for Doyle in term of both selection and execution. A vastly improved Zane Neilson was deployed at striker and within the first five minutes he had scored his first Premier League goal. He got on the end of a sweeping team build up to rip an unstoppable shot from the point of the penalty area into the top corner of the far post. A dream start for the new coach and striker.
With a new look backline for the Bobcats saw a communication breakdown soon after which lead to an unfortunate own goal to level the scores. Keeper Alex Moffitt made a number of fine saves to repel the locals and with that the teams went to the break level after a vibrant first half.
The second half continued along similar themes with both sides playing with attacking styles. Midway through the half a bit of a goalmouth scramble led to the Bobcats second own goal of the game and they were now behind 2-1, but not for long. Directly from the kick off the ball was passed back to Fraser Marsh who hit long diagonal ball for livewire winger Luke Hanlon to get in behind the Tigers defence and classily chipped the keeper to restore parity. A late penalty to the hosts ensured they come away with a 3-2 but for Doyle the result was irrelevant, and he only had positive things to say. “I was very impressed with the entire team and the performance. We are having a great pre-season and there is a good buzz around the group. Things are definitely looking up.”
In the Premier Reserves a new look Bobcat outfit to the field with a number of youngsters on debut which gave coach Penfold many options. An early penalty saw the Tigers take the lead but new signing Liam Shaw scored a wicked free kick from a tight angle that bamboozled the Tigers keeper to equalise. A scrappy second half goal saw the Tigers to a win but, like the Premier League, there were only positives to be taken out of the match for the Bobcats. On debut Zethan Nichols looked so comfortable in goals with ball at foot or in hand. Rocky Harris and Jinnawat Dairinram immediately struck up a combination bombing down the right hand side which was another highlight.
This Saturday the Bobcats will host Northern Storm at home at 4pm and 6pm kick off times at Wherrett Park Maclean before returning to Major Sponsor the Maclean Bowling Club post-match. Come down and have an early peak at the new look Bobcats that has added depth and quality across both grades in what looks like a year where they can get back into premiership contention.