Buffeted by a gusty Lismore crosswind and a gutsy oppostiion, the Great Northern Byron Bay Rams never quite found their form in Saturday’s Football Far North Coast semifinals.
Byron’s premier league boys, after dominating much of the 2016 season, have missed out on their fourth consecutive Grand Final after an excruciating 2–0 loss to arch rivals, Richmond Rovers.
Neither team seemed to be at its best in the blustery conditions, but it was Rovers who managed to find the net in the first half with a quick counterattack. The Rams fought back, but their best efforts couldn’t get past Rovers keeper – ex-Ram Chris Jones. Rovers sealed the win with a penalty in the second half, ending the Rams 2016 campaign.
The Bangalow Bluedogs premier team also lost their semi-final against Goonellabah Hornets 5–4 in a penalty shootout, after the extra time score was locked at 1–1.
The Bluedogs’ keeper got his hand to the winning shot, but only managed to send it into the far side of the goal.
The win sends the Hornets through to the grand final on Sunday week.
The Reserve grade Rams began their match strongly and dominated the opening stages. Twenty-six minutes in, Byron’s pressing game paid off when flanking run and cross from Nolan Pierce was hammered home by Tomás Do Prado Coelho.
Rovers retaliated and their trademark long-ball game put Byron on the back foot. Some desperate defending from the Rams ceded a penalty to Rovers to even the match and, despite repeated attacks from the Byron reserves, it was Rovers who took the upper hand and, taking two more goals and a spot in the grand final with a 3–1 win.
The Byron Reserves now face a sudden-death final against Goonellabah at the Rec Grounds this Saturday at 2.30.
The Rams third division are also fighting for a Grand Final berth on Saturday, kicking off at 12.30 at the Rec Grounds.
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