Port United flying Solo
ROD THOMPSON
30 Apr, 2010 04:00 AM
PORT United will travel to Maclean this weekend for a bigger slice of the pie in the inaugural Northern New South Wales Football Solo Cup.

The club’s first and reserve grade outfits were scheduled to take on Kempsey Saints in the Football Mid-North Coast Premier League competition tomorrow, however those games were rescheduled due to United’s commitments in the statewide tournament that boasts a $10,000 prize pool.

The Solo Cup is a new concept, the format of which will be reviewed and fine-tuned as it develops.

But, the early signs are positive.

Tomorrow’s match follows United’s comfortable 12-0 win against Kootingal District SC and Maclean’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Taree Wildcats in round one.

Both teams sit at the top of their respective competitions – and United is expecting a torrid battle on Maclean’s home ground.

“Maclean won the North Coast Football First Division title last season, beating the previously-undefeated Coffs United Lions 2-1 in the grand final,” United coach Greg Baldwin said.

“They have started this year with back-to-back wins against Woolgoolga Wolves (3-1) and Coffs Coast Tigers (3-2), as well as the opening round triumph in the Solo Cup against the Wildcats (4-3).

“So, we know we’re coming up against are very much in-form side and will be prepared for a tough match.”

Known as the Bobcats, Maclean was formed in 1981.

The club boasts three senior men’s teams as well as a women’s side and also 20 junior squads in the NCF competition.

Despite the good start to the season with wins over Great Lakes and Macleay Valley Rangers, United goes into this match under strength with four of its regular starters unavailable this weekend due to other commitments.

Defenders Damien Cross, John Goodman and Andy Collins will be missed as will the attacking prowess and speed of Sam Mclean.

Brodie Collins (late fitness test) and Matt Denham are still injured, so Baldwin has had a difficult time working out the best line-up to take on Maclean.

United’s team is still to be finalised but it is likely the experienced Matt Lacey and Peter Goonan will be called up, along with Simon Filipek and Ewan Fraser, who could make his first grade debut for the club.

The showdown kicks off at 1pm at Maclean Showground with fellow Football Mid-North Coast outfit Taree (lucky losers from round one) taking to the field at 3pm against Goonellabah FC.

Other FMNC sides in action will be Macleay Valley Rangers against Woolgoolga (1pm in Woolgoolga) and Pacific Palms FC against Coffs City United (3pm in Sawtell).

Port United

(squad) Tony Raymond, Ryan Moon, Matt Moore, Adam Woonton, Jack Symons, Josh Moore, Adam Breust, Matt Lacey, Peter Goonan, Simon Filipek, Ewan Fraser, Nathan Attwells, Gerard Howard, Nathan Wade, Lewis Barton, Blake Johnston, Neil Bruns, Trent Saville, Cody Boylen, Brodie Collins

http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/port-united-flying-solo/1816567.aspx?storypage=0