IT was a tale of two halves at Toormina Oval as the Sawtell Scorpions lost 1-0 to the Macleay Valley Rangers during their Coastal Premier League fixture on the June long weekend.

While the Scorpions dominated the first half they could not capitalise on the weight of territory and possession and find the vital go ahead goal.

It would be the visiting Rangers side who would claim the vital three points, turning the tables to dominate the second half as they looked a completely different side to the one the Scorpions had under constant pressure in the first 45 minutes.

The young Scorpions came out all guns blazing to start the match and had the Rangers camped in their defensive half, which had the visiting defenders on tenterhooks as the home side created numerous chances.

The half-time break affected the two sides in dramatically different ways, as the Rangers completely flipped the script to come out as the dominant side in the second half.

It would be the Rangers who would make the most of their chances with a goal in the 57th minute proving to be the match-winner.

Scorpions head coach Joe Skrtic lamented his sides missed opportunities especially in the first half.

“It’s about converting your chances, that’s football, and we need to take our chances better,” he said.

Skrtic shared with News Of The Area the key area he believes they could improve.

“I think we need to learn how to deal with the long balls at the back, and I think we were on the back foot defending the long ball and that’s something we’ll work on in training.”

The Scorpions coach said it was an ongoing learning process for the youngest team in the Coastal Premier League.

“Our average age is about 19 or 20, and if they learn something from each match and take something away then they will be better players in the long run,” he said.

“It’s a process, and we are starting to gel but it’s tough as we have nine new players this season.”

Elsewhere in the Coastal Premier League, the Northern Storm won their third straight match with a 3-0 victory against the Kempsey Saints, while the Coffs Coast Tigers beat the Taree Wildcats 5-0 at home.

The Coastal Premier League season continues this weekend with Round 10 matches.

 

By Aiden BURGESS