Marc Patten (president)
A chronic lack of numbers forced Shores to dig deep last week in round 18.
The mighty sevens went out to Kyogle with just one sub. It was a tough grind with the Turkeys giving us very little. In the end, though, the soon-to-be minor premiers, Shores old boys were too strong for Kyogle. Goals from Super Ray, Steve and Browny. Shores 3–0.
The brave kids in the sixes travelled to Bangalow desperate for a win. With no subs and boys playing ill, it looked like we had no hope. It was a really gutsy display from the boys and when captain/coach Glen scored to even things at 2–2 in the second half, it looked like an unlikely result was possible, but a cruel late Bangalow winner ended our hopes. Top effort, boys.
The fourths were at home to a resurgent Ballina. At 1–0 we looked the better team, even with just 12 men, but somehow the wheels began to fall off. We made two mistakes and got punished twice.
Midway through the second half we were 3–1 down.
Then came the revival. Louie had a shot saved that coach Ben followed in, to make it 3–2 behind.
After that we just seemed to get hungry. Ballina hung on for grim death, but a top through ball from man-of- the-match Kyle saw the cross from Jarvis come over to Louie, who had time before teeing up the ball and smashing it in. We ran out of time for the winner, 3–3.
Different story for the first division Snakes, even with just nine players and four from fourths.
The new pace combo up front with Tal, Paddy and Al Martin were simply too much for Byron, terrorising them all afternoon.
It was 2–1 at halftime before breakaway goals from Paddy and Tal got everyone off their seats. In the end it was a 3–1 victory, which should have been more.
Fantastic club effort being short-handed, with so many blokes backing up. Go Shores!
