Rovers finally on the rise

Lismore Workers coach Scott Collis gives some instruction to his striker Kurt Brewer-Charles during a match. All premier division coaches are experiencing different emotions as the race for the finals intensifies.

The Goonellabah Hornets fell to their first defeat last week when Rovers scored the decider with seconds to go in the match. Rovers backed up that performance with another victory on Friday evening and whilst it seems unlikely that they can catch the Hornets, it confirmed that they may be the toughest opponents in the finals.

The Southern Cross Credit Union premier league kicks off with Alstonville hosting Lismore Thistles on Friday night. Villa will want to continue its surge for a possible finals berth by defeating Thistles and with key players Matthew Parrish and Jake Nind watching from the sidelines, the Blues will be under all sorts of pressure.

Byron Bay’s season goes from bad to worse and they continue to slide down the ladder. This week will not give them any reprieve as they travel to Lismore to meet Rovers and with Tim Sheridan’s boys starting to hit their straps, they are unlikely to be confident of getting points this week either.

Bangalow are stuck on the bottom of the ladder and with a visit from Goonellabah this round, they will need to produce the upset of the season to get even a point from this clash. The Hornet’s form striker Dave Annetts is predicted to bag another tally as he cruises towards a record number of goals in a single season for the men’s premier competition.

Pottsville host Lismore Workers on Saturday before backing up on Sunday to meet Alstonville and with eyes on a third placed finish, the Panthers will be tough to beat. Coach Dave Lonie has a few players on the cusp of being suspended because of accumulated cards and this will impact on the make-up of his team.

Lismore Workers are sitting precariously close to the position on the ladder that will see them miss the semi-finals and coach Scott Collis knows that their destiny is only in their hands if they win the remaining games.

Ballina also have a double header this weekend and meet Italo Stars on Saturday before travelling to Thistles’ ground on Sunday. With more points on offer this week because of the multiple games, we will be closer to resolving the contenders for the finals next on Sunday afternoon. We pray for fine weather and finer football as the tempo hots up.