Round five wrap up of football

I AM confident the "passing showers" have left us and round five will allow us to witness a full round of fantastic football.

The always much anticipated clash between Lismore Richmond Rovers and Goonellabah this Saturday is the headline act and has even more appeal with the inclusion of former Socceroo Craig Moore in the Rovers side. Goonellabah played in the State Cup last weekend and gained much needed time on the pitch. Rovers have not seen the field of play for several weeks and coach Brian Bugden will implore his team to play smart rather than their usual physical style and let the ball do the work in this one.

Dave Annetts was at his menacing best last week and Daniel Bonesi also impressed for the Hornets who will be keen to get the points over their old nemesis. This game kicks-off at 5.30pm and everyone is invited to come down and enjoy the atmosphere at Bill Harris Field in East Lismore. Craig Moore will be happy to sign autographs and meet the kids.

In other games this Saturday, Casino host Byron Bay and can expect another tough encounter. Casino was very impressive last weekend and although losing 5-2 they led 2-0 until the last 20 minutes. Keeper Brad Casey was brilliant and veteran John Wraight toiled hard. The Rams smacked nine goals past Stars and with Casino having conceded 16 goals in two games, one hopes that the net is in good condition as Byron look to continue their rampage.

Italo Stars travel to Ballina and will be licking their wounds after being torn apart last week. The Seasiders are backing up from a Tuesday night game and will start slight favourites on home soil. The five o'clock start always brings the vocal Seasiders crowd out and stand-in coach Peter Lang will be wanting his team to again make Saunders Oval the much feared venue for visiting teams that it was for many years.

No better way to spend Mothers' Day than at the football and Lennox Head will welcome Alstonville to Skennars Head for a 2.30pm clash. Two traditional clubs, Lismore Thistles and Lismore Workers, meet at John Ryan Field in East Lismore. Joel Rudgley's first appearance in the Blue's strip inspired them to a win and with Darren Beardow impeded by injury, Rudgley will be the man to watch. Ben Coulter showed blistering pace out wide and also slotted a great goal giving Thistles another option in attack. Workers are on fire and this could be a game to go down to the wire.