NAMBUCCA Strikers held out the Northern Storm until half-time in the men’s division 3 major semi-final – but that’s when the floodgates opened.

Four second half goals for Northern Storm deprived the Strikers of a direct route to the grand final, however they now have a second bite of the cherry on Saturday 15 October in the elimination semi-final.

Club coach Rhys Jones reflected on the change of momentum after half-time.

“Half-time saw a 0-0 score with the Strikers slightly having the better of the play, however Northern Storm were warming to their task and finished the half strongly,” he said.

That momentum continued for the Storm who, pushing more players forward, started to win the arm wrestle.

“An early goal in the second-half for the Storm finally broke their shackles and they seemed to go up a gear,” Jones said.

“From this point on Strikers were on the back foot, but in true Strikers’ spirit they kept going all the way to the end.”

Despite the loss, Strikers captain Grant Martin was upbeat after the game.

“We started well in the first half and as the game went on the bounce of the ball started to go against us,” he said.

“We didn’t take our chances in the first half and the better team won on the day.

“We regroup and go again next week,” Grant said.

Corindi beat Macksville 1-0 in the other sudden death semi-final, meaning the Strikers take on Corindi on Saturday for a spot in the grand final.

By David WIGLEY