Pottsville Panthers and Lismore Thistles ensured round 13 of the FFNC Premiership was one to remember with huge upset wins over the league leaders.

Pottsville will take the bragging rights as the first team to defeat reigning champions Richmond Rovers this year and to do so away from home makes the result even more remarkable.

Rovers struggled for consistency throughout the match and the send off of midfielder Aaron Heffernan compounded the frustration of this first up loss. The surprise though is that Rovers struggled against the Panthers in round 3 only scraping a 2-2 draw, and most pundits expected them to go into the game full of determination to dominate the visitors.

However it was not to be with goals to Josh Boag and Simon Everingham and a huge dying minutes penalty save from keeper Nathan Wilson securing the points for Pottsville. Rovers only goal came from midfielder Ben Casagrande.

Lismore Thistles continue to defy the form guide as well with a solid 1 - 0 win over second placed Lennox Head. Lennox approached the game with a defensive attitude and suffered from the lack of adventure, creating little going forward.

Thistles always looked dangerous and following the dismissal of Lennox keeper Tye McDonald for a foul on striker Tom Boland raised their intensity, bombarding stand in keeper Pete O’Neill in the later stages of the match.

They were made to wait some time though to grab the decisive strike with Jacob Arthur scoring from the edge of the box, giving the home side the 3 points.

In other fixtures Italo Stars extended their winning streak to nine games with a 1-0 win over Byron Bay, Ballina secured third spot on the table with a 3-0 win over Bangalow and Workers gave their survival hopes a boost with a 2-2 draw against Goonellabah.

Football Far North Coast are calling for interested clubs to nominate teams for the forthcoming Summer Youth League season.

Competitions for both males and females will operate from October to December - with the emphasis on player development. The competition will be open to players aged 15 to 19 and will asist in the transition from junior to senior competitions.

Applications close on Friday 15th August 2008 so don’t delay get your club to nominate a side soon download application forms here 2008-expression-of-interest.pdf 

FFNC advise that draws for the Grade 6, 7 & 8 age groups partcipating in SSG have only been completed until the 28th June.

Fixtures that were scheduled on the 31st May and washed out have been rescheduled to 5th July…..check draw here.

New draws will be available from after 5th July and commence after the end of the school holidays.

For further information contact FFNC on 66 25 1444.

Lennox Head Sharks have been crowned Champions of the NSW north coast after a thrilling extra-time win over Urunga Raiders in Coffs Harbour. The women’s team from Lennox Head defeated Urunga 2-1 in the second period of extra time after the teams were locked at 1-all after 90 minutes. Conditions at BCU International Stadium were perfect for the match which brought together two teams who were undefeated in their local competitions and it proved to be a tight contest. The match started at top speed with Urunga putting the first shot on target within 30 seconds of kick off. The opening period was truly end to end, but the opening goal game in only the 10^th minute when the Lennox defence curiously opened right up to allow a Urunga mid field ball to travel unchallenged up the middle. The Lennox Head sweeper was caught on the right hand side of the pitch when Urunga’s Lauren Green sprinted onto the ball unopposed to slot home the opener. Within two minutes of the restart the Sharks could have been back on level terms with a well taken shot from close range, however the Raiders’ keeper Jessica Snow was perfectly positioned to make the save. Urunga was dominating large parts of the first half through right winger Georgia Myles and striker Tjirra Francis, but the famed Lennox Head defence held firm. The Sharks were holding the ball for long periods as well, mainly through midfielder Amanda Brett and Jaime Picken on the right hand side. One nil to the Raiders at the break. Urunga changed their formation for the second half with Tjirra Francis dropping back into the midfield and Skye Pettit moving to the front line. This was perhaps the crucial move of the match because the longer the game went on, the more it looked like a Lennox Head goal was coming. In the 50^th minute, Urunga’s Belinda Moore, who was a standout player for the Raiders was put through for a one on one with the Lennox Head keeper Riley Harrison. Harrison’s technique was excellent all night and here she pulled off a save which was crucial for keeping the Sharks in the match. Significantly, in the 70^th minute Urunga’s Lauren Green was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury. This seemed to take the sting out of the Urunga attack and, even though Belinda Moore dominated the midfield for Urunga, from here the Raiders didn’t often look like increasing their lead. There were chances, however, in particular to Heidi Francis from 30 metres out. Francis hit a thunderbolt which, had it been on target, would have been near impossible to stop, but flew to the left of the goal. In the 65^th minute Belinda Moore attempted an over the shoulder volley and only succeeded in hitting Sharks’ defender Margo Rollison in the face. Rollison, thankfully,  recovered to play on. Lennox Head closed in for the kill. It almost came in the 80^th minute after a fumble by Urunga keeper Jessica Snow resulted in the ball dropping in front of Angela Graham, who could only push it wide. The equaliser finally came in the 82^nd minute through Chelsea Graham. Graham weaved her way through a tired Raiders backline, fired the ball to the left, it hit the post & went in. So to extra time they went; two 10 minute periods, in which Lennox Head looked the stronger. In the 105^th minute, Urunga was forced to make a goal line clearance during a massive scramble, but it only delayed the inevitable. The winner came in the 108^th minute, two minutes before a penalty shootout was due. Amanda Brett, who had toiled hard for Lennox Head all night in the midfield, struck the ball from just outside the goal area and it was celebration time. Only Samantha Snow’s shot one minute from time threatened to bring on the penalty shootout, but it was not to be for the Raiders. 2-1 the final score to Lennox Head. This was a game which truly could have gone either way. At times both teams looked dominant, however, if the statistics could be found, they may well show Lennox Head had more of the ball, perhaps. Usually a team with that much ability and that much ball will win and so it proved on the night.

FFNC’s representatives in the Northern Champions Cup may be vulnerable to an upset if as indicated they take understrength squads to Coffs Harbour this weekend.

It is known that Lennox Head will be without Shani Lauf and Sophie Towner two of their most influential players when they meet up with Urunga Raiders in Saturday nights final of the Women’s Northern champions Cup.

Both girls are tied up with Northern NSW State Team Camps and will be sorely missed. Responsibility for creating opportunities will now fall on the shoulders of Amanda Brett and Christie Hopley which will be a test of their vision and passing skills as both players usually operate as ball winners providing the ammunition for the likes of Towner, Allardyce and Coleman.

Coach Damion Davis remains positive though despite these losses “we will definitely miss Sophie and Shani but I see that as an added test for my girls. We haven’t been under this type of pressure before and it will be a great opportunity to see the girls perform at the top of their game. We are keen to represent FFNC and want to win this first ever Northern Champions Cup,” Davis said.

Rovers first test will come against the champions of Northern Inland Football, in Norths Companions. Missing the likes of Ian McGregor, Aaron Heffernan, Luke McAnelly and Troy Matthews will be a test of depth for the Rovers but they have shown they can pull players from lower divisions who are more than capable.

Companions go into the tournament seriously understrength from the the side that won the double last year. Riddled with injury they have only been able to muster up 15 fit players so that may yet work to Rovers advantage.

Rovers kick off their campaign at 5.00pm with the Women’s Final commencing at 7.00pm at Coffs Harbour International Stadium.

Richmond Rovers and Lennox Head will compete in the Northern Champions Cup this weekend in Coffs Harbour.

The Northern Champions Cup is a champions league style competition with the 2007 champion clubs from Coffs Harbour, Armidale/Tamworth, Port Maquarie and Football Far North Coast all competing.

Rovers fresh from the weekend mauling of Lennox Head will compete in the men’s competition while runaway Southern Cross Credit Union WPL leaders Lennox Head will meet up with Coffs United in a winner takes all match.

The best of the best concept is a joint venture between the four involved zones and aims to establish a long term competition where both grand final winners and point score champions will compete regularly.

Coffs Harbour International Stadium will be the venue for all fixtures with the men’s semi finals and the women’s final being played on Saturday  at 3.00pm, 5.00pm and 7.00pm respectively. Sunday will showcase the top two teams with the final kicking off at 3.00pm.

Lismore Thistles and Alstonville produced one the best games this season as round 6 of the Southern Cross Credit Union Women’s Premier League brought these two mid table sides together.

In a see sawing affair Alstonville showed plenty of character to secure the points and get their season back on track after an inconsistent start. The home side were without a number of their experienced players with Kim Wraight, Elise McCarthy Carmen Franks and Ebony Gordon all missing.

With only the bare Villa eleven to confront them Thistles took the momentum early scoring through Shelley Watts and Kristy Hanley. In a positive sign for coach PJ Smith the red and black girls stepped up a gear and banged in three goals in reply to take the match.

Goals to Jessica Woolfe, Candice Schmolling and player of the match Alex Haigh helped Alstonville to a 3 - 2 win which sets them up nicely for this weekends game against second placed Richmond Rovers.

Rovers had little trouble in disposing of Italo Stars 3 - 0 under lights at Barrow Lane. Goals to Morrisey, McNall and Parker finished off the plucky Stars with Teonie Rushton working hard for the home side. Rovers duo of McNall and McNamara were voted best on field in a well deserved win.

Stars will be hoping for some respite this week when they take on fellow strugglers Burringbar who with only ten players could not hold out the juggernaut which is Lennox Head.

The Sharks through a solid commitment from players and coaching staff continue to set the standard in this league and last weekend was no different with a brace to Sophie Towner and goals to Amanda Brett and Chelsea Coleman putting them in a commanding position.

Last years champions will be away to Thistles this weekend and will be hoping to turn on a comprehensive performance before they travel to Coffs Harbour to represent the Zone in the Northern Champions Cup on 7th June.

Alstonville have surged ahead in the promotion race from the Newton Denny Chapelle Championship opening up a six point gap over the trailing pack following another dominant display over the weekend.

Villa went into the fixture against bottom of the table Banora Point a s firm favourites and the result looked a formality. But Banora showed considerable resilience scoring against the league leaders before the “villains” cruised to victory with a 4 - 1 win.

South Lismore surged back into title contention after battling away against an in form Woodburn to grab a 4 - 1 win. Goals to Michael Wade, Leigh Simpson, Josh O’Driscoll and 16 year old Corey Walker guaranteed the 3 points for the Celtics with Scott Williams scoring for the Wolves.

Coach Gavin Scott summed up the afternoon “we were outplayed and out muscled and the lads failed to take this opportunity to stay in touch with Alstonville, overall a disappointing result.”

Uki on the other hand continue to surprise everyone with another solid win over Burringbar. Derby days on the Tweed are few and far between this season and Uki were desperate to make sure they took the bragging rights and the valuable 3 points on offer especially away from home.

A brace to John McCarthy proved the difference in a tough match. Uki coach Joe Scholl said “we deserved the result with a controlled and positive performance but Burringbar surprised us, they worked hard and looked dangerous at times. They will improve as the season progresses and many a side may trip up here at the Bandits den.”

The bus trip to Casino did no favours for the Seawolves with the Cobras grabbing a 4 - 0 win to hold on to fourth position on the table. Goals were spread around the team with Butwell, Summers, Casey and veteran Stewart Coughran all involved. For the Seawolves it was all too much and they seem to be struggling in there first season in the Championship.

Looking ahead to the weekend there are a number of excellent games being served up which could reshape the table with the league leaders Alstonville and Woodburn battling it out at Crawford Park and third and fourth placed sides Souths and Casino meeting at Colley Park.

Uki could be the beneficiaries if results from the two top of the table clashes go their way as they host bottom of the table Banora Point while the Tweeds other two sides Seawolves and Burringbar will be looking to grab the three points and put some much needed distance between themselves and the cellar.

Italo Stars and Burringbar Bandits grabbed all the glory in round 5 of the Southern Cross Credit Union Women’s Premier League with excellent first up wins.

Stars took on the in form Lismore Thistles at Barrow Lane and came away with a solid 2 - 1 win. Goals to Carissa Halliday and Matilda Sochacki set the tone for the match with Thistles Rebecca Adams collecting the consolation goal for the away team.

Burringbar have had a tough start to their Premier League campaign in 2008 losing many key players and have struggled to find rhythm going down to Thistles, Rovers and Lennox Head so far.

The bandits are also notoriously poor on Sundays so with the Mothers Day fixture to contend with as well the Bandits had to dig deep to turn the tables on what is looking as a solid Richmond Rovers outfit.

Two goals to Morgan Lowe and another to Rachel Davis gave the home side the advantage and gave the girls something to share with their mums as they downed Rovers 3 - 2. Rovers grabbing some reward through Mala Roberts and Renee Parker.

Rovers will be hoping to turn around their poor run of form next weekend when they take on rivals Lismore Thistles at home.

Lennox Head continued their dominance over Alstonville with another shutout running in 4 goals with no reply. Chelsea Coleman put in another fine performance coming off the bench to grab a brace along with fine efforts from the dominant Sophie Towner and Abigail Allardyce.

Stars will hope some recent changes to team selection will give them enough to hold out league leaders Lennox Head when they meet on Sunday, but they will have to work extremely hard to halt the steamroller that is the Sharks who already have a comfortable 6 point lead over 2nd placed Thistles.

For Burringbar they will travel down to Alstonville with the hope that the “Villa’s” recent run of poor form will work to their advantage as the two teams meet up for the first time this season.

Premier League newcomers Pottsville Panthers have shown they are fast learners holding on for a two all draw against league leaders Richmond Rovers on the weekend.

The panthers went ahead to a well taken goal by striker Simon Everingham, before Rovers were stung into action. Goals to Troy Matthews and Ian McGregor put the champions back in front, but Bryce Kilney popped up late in the game to secure the point for the northern outfit.

In other Premiership fixtures, Byron had Bruce Morhaus to thank for banging 4 past Stars after the Rams had fallen behind to a Max Latimer penalty to secure a 4-1 win, Lennox also had to pay respects to their in form striker Peter O’Neil who grabbed a hat trick in the Sharks 6-1 thrashing of Thistles, Bangalow were made to fight all the way in securing a 1-0 win over local rivals Ballina, and Goonellabah got their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over bottom of the table Workers FC.

With the table congested and no clear leader yet emerging the coming weekends fixtures could hold the key to grabbing an early advantage.