The anomalies in the FFNC Coast Premier League football saw the Maclean Bowling Club sponsored Maclean Bobcats FC spread all over the Northern Rivers for the weekends round off the FFNC Premier League.
It started with the Men’s Premier League travelling to Lennox Head on Friday night to score a point away with a come from behind 3-3 draw.
The Men’s Championship team will rue missing a number of gilt-edge chances to lose a hard-fought encounter 2-1 in Maclean against the Nimbin Headers.
Finally, the Women’s Premier League recorded a record breaking 11-1 win away to Goonellabah.
Men’s Premier League
In a crucial fixture on Friday night a win meant so much for both Lennox Head and the Bobcats. In what was a sloppy first half both teams struggled with possession, but a fortunate penalty gave Lennox the opportunity to take the lead and in truth it was probably deserved. The Bobcats were looking dangerous, particularly on set plays and it took a spectacular save to tip a Fraser Marsh header from a corner, onto and over the bar in the shadow of half time to retain a 1-0 lead at the break for the hosts.
With backs to the wall the Bobcats needed some inspiration in the second half. It came in the form of captain Marsh who wouldn’t be denied a second time, when he soured above the pack to bury a header to equalise for the Bobcats. The momentum swing was short lived as Lennox took the lead again when a ball bobbled through keeper Alex Moffitt’s hands most uncharacteristically. Five minutes later Lennox went up 3-1 with a bullet free kick into the top corner. With 20 minutes to go it looked a tall order for the travelling Bobcats, but they lifted. Adam Penfold nodded in a second goal when Lennox failed to clear a corner with 10 remaining on the clock. Penfold then equalised with a rasping, unstoppable shot that skimmed the underside of the bar to make it 3-3. The Bobcats were now rampant and looking the likely winner but had to settle for a share of the points that did neither club any favours. Penfold heroics saw him awarded the McMahon Electrical Man of the Match.
The Men’s Championship
This fixture saw the aptly named Nimbin Headers travel to Maclean to take on the Bobcats second team. In a tight first half the Headers were able to bundle the ball in during a goal mouth scramble to lead 1-0 at the break. They doubled their lead mid-way through the half before youngster Jyedon Brown pulled a goal back for the locals with a cracking left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area. The scores finished 2-1 to the Headers and the Bobcats will contemplate what could have been. Veteran Gary Carmichael was awarded the Maclean Variety Meats Man of the Match,
Women’s Premier League
The shining light was the Women’s Premier League 11-1 win away from home against the Goonellabah Hornets. Depleted they may well be, but the Bobcats showed their claws in a dominant performance where the Hornets only goal came from the penalty spot. For Maclean, goals were shared between Emily Loy and Olivia Heintzam with four each. Rachael Anderson with two and Abbey Dolan rounding out a huge win that consolidates the Bobcats semi-finalist position on the ladder. A number of our junior ladies backed up to support our Premier League team and all were outstanding, which augurs well for the future.
This weekend the draw aligns more with the Bobcats Championship League and Premier League playing ay 1pm and 3pm on Saturday afternoon at home at Barry Watts Oval Maclean. The Women’s Premier League travel to Alstonville on Sunday at 2.30 as they look to keep their roll going.