The humiliation of a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Port United is still fresh in the mind of the Macleay Valley Rangers players.
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They will use the pain as motivation to return serve this Saturday when the two clubs do battle in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League major semi-final.
A victory advances the side to face off with minor premiers Wallis Lake in a grand final qualifier while the losing team will be forced to play for their season in an elimination final.
Rangers coach Keith Morn admits defeating Port United is no easy feat.
“There’s a long history of a rivalry between the two clubs, it goes back more than four decades,” Morn told the Argus.
“We have had some great battles with Port in the past and I am expecting it to be no different on Saturday.
“It’s always a tough, hard game against them and we are preparing for a battle.”
Morn acknowledges his side didn’t cope with the game plan applied by Port in their last meeting.
“They press up the field and apply a lot of pressure,” Morn said.
“We need to make better decisions and find the open man, move their defenders around, force them to work hard and put the pressure back on them.”
The Rangers will be boosted by the returns of striker Sam Applegate and left midfielder Kurt Riordan, who were rested in the final round of the season.
The side struggled to find the back of the net without Applegate and settled for a nil-all draw with Kempsey Saints.
Applegate is a key inclusion into Morn’s side but he believes it will be a team effort if they earn the win on Saturday.
“Everyone needs to do their job and play well,” Morn said.
“I am backing the players to perform at their best and lift for the contest with a lot at stake.”
The Rangers held on in a thriller and are hopeful home field advantage will give them the edge.
The first grade game kicks off at 2.30pm at Dangar St Oval.
The Rangers’ reserve grade side will also be in action on Saturday, as they face off with Wallis Lake in a curtain raiser for the first grade contest.
The qualifying final will see the second and third placed sides face off with the winner advancing to face Port United for a spot in the grand final.
Meanwhile the losing side will be forced to contest an elimination final against the winner of Kempsey Saints and the Taree Wildcats.
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