Port FC thumps Old Bar

05 May, 2010 04:00 AM

PORT Macquarie Football Club’s Khodary Pharmacy’s Premier League side made a triumphant return to Tuffins Lane on the weekend, thumping the Old Bar Barbarians 5-0 in round three of the competition.

Despite losing both games to their coastal rivals last year, Port FC went into the match confident of achieving victory and it didn’t take long for them to establish their dominance.

To combat their lack of possession, Old Bar tried to stamp their presence on the encounter via a hard line physical approach and, while it effectively broke some exciting passages of interchange passing by Port FC, it failed to alter the fixture’s momentum.

It wasn’t long into the first half when Matt Ramm scored a scrappy goal off his hip after Jackson Pett crossed from wide left.

Matt Edwards chested down Pett’s cross for midfielder Luke Buckley to shoot onto the post for Ramm, who pushed the rebound into the back of the net.

Port FC’s second came via excellent vision from newcomer David Kennedy.

He played a flat ball in behind the Barbarians’ defence to find a flying Buckley, who chipped it over the advancing keeper.

Despite creating numerous other chances in the first half, Port FC finished the period 2-0 up.

Buckley, Pett, Paddy Coelho and Kennedy got through a mountain of work in the midfield and all were unlucky not to increase Port FC’s advantage.

Both Kennedy and Pett had excellent strikes not find the back of the net due to the woodwork and keeper respectively.

A short break saw Port FC take to the field early.

The side could sense a strong victory coming and were very keen to maintain the intensity and domination they had established in the first half.

And, maintain it they did.

Only five minutes into the half and, after some excellent work from Kennedy and a back heel flick from Sigbjorn “Dilly” Prestergard, Buckley again found himself in behind the Barbarians’ defence with only the keeper to beat.

Buckley struck the ball sweetly from just outside the 18 yard box and into the top corner.

Now up 3-0, coach David Toulson began pulling players off to ensure the side remained injury free.

Kennedy, who had been on the end of some physical treatment the entire match, was replaced by Adam Howell and Augistine “Augy” Fordjour came on for Edwards.

Fordjour made his presence and fresh legs felt quickly.

After a powering volley was placed over the top of the Old Bar goal, Fordjour found himself unmarked at the back post to head home a Ramm cross, taking the score to 4-0.

Port FC continued to maintain the pressure after the fourth goal and some tired Old Bar legs meant that Coelho, Howell and Ramm found plenty of space down the right hand touch line.

Coelho missed a few late opportunities, however Buckley was not to be denied his hat-trick.

Coehlo and Prestergard combined to again put Buckley in behind the defence and, with ever-growing confidence, he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net to round the game out 5-0.http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/port-fc-thumps-old-bar/1820561.aspx?storypage=0