Go into a match thinking you have it won and you can be unpleasantly surprised.

That was the case last Saturday as the Camden Haven Redbacks travelled to Forster for their clash with Great Lakes in the Football Mid North Coast Premier league.

Lakes came at the visitors hard early, attacking down the flanks and shot to a 2-0 lead. A dot shot should have made it three except for the agility of Redbacks keeper Wayne Smith.

The real Redbacks emerged from the sheds for the second half and goals to Justin Bull and Nathan Lane had the scores level and the Lakes looked rattled. However it was Lakes who hit back as the Havens again dropped their guard conceding two goals which once again came from out wide.

Jay Fowler ignited a little spark with a goal to make it 4-3 and two long shots from Paul Eames and Josh Tomasone just missed the mark which might have earned the Redbacks a draw, but is was too little too late.

Although this is only the team’s second defeat they do not have many points on the table to take another game lightly. Fire up lads (starts with training) or plan your holidays early. Home next week against Wauchope 1.15pm and 3pm.

Reserve Grade

Away down at Great Lakes on a wet, windy day didn’t stop the boys putting together probably their best performance this season. Another reshuffle of positions fell into place and we looked a very tight unit. The game got off to a shaky start due to the changes and the conditions, but the boys got the ball down and played some good “short soccer.” The mids fed the forwards some great balls which they in turn made into good chances. Al, working well on the left put a ball back to Lee Hartshorne who slotted home the first goal. The boys at the back looked strong with all defenders sorting out anything Lakes threw at them. The Redback midfielders cut through Lakes mids many times and set up Lee’s second which was a good strike for a deserved 2-0 lead at half time. The second half started with much the same pattern. Al got a great goal early and looked dangerous all day. Changes for Lakes saw them bring on their 1st graders to chase the game. Paul Windred stepped in and went man for man on the tallest man in the comp and didn’t give him a sniff of goal, great stuff. Changes for the Havens meant fresh legs and big Daz slotted a good goal shortly after coming on and Huck went close a couple of times. Late in the game Boyd Goodear smashed a great cross into their box which spun off one of their defenders for a 5-0 victory.

“This was a great team road trip for the boys in tough conditions” said coach Bill Roe.

“They dominated and scored some good goals. A big well done to everyone involved. Ben Romer gets man of the match for stepping into the sweeper role, which we’ve found hard to fill of late. He did superb. We just need to put these performances back to back over next few months.”