MARALYN HANIGAN
The second and last match of the Northern NSW Football’s (NNSWF) FFA Cup Regional Qualifiers, Round 5 of the Northern Conference, saw Football Far North Coast’s (FFNC) Bangalow SC win with a gutsy 1-0 performance over Football Mid North Coast’s (FMNC) Kempsey Saints at JSF on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first time either side had made it to the Regional Qualifiers of the Northern Conference and after a hard-fought match, only one goal was scored late in the second half.
The goal came courtesy of Byron Milne in the 75th minute, who has already scored throughout the competition for the Bluedogs, and it was enough to hold off the Saints.
Dayne Smith was chosen as the TAFE NSW ‘Game Changer’ – Player of the Match, receiving a $50 rebel Sport voucher, TAFE NSW Summer Football drink bottle and ball, proudly supported by NNSWF’s Major Partner in Education Training, TAFE NSW.
Bangalow will now join fellow Northern Conference side Boambee Bombers from North Coast Football in Round 6, for the State Qualifiers, at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, along with the six remaining Southern Conference teams on the June long weekend, 8th-10th.
Their progression marks the first time the club has ever played in Round 6, and the first time since 2017 that a FFNC team will feature.
Dayne Smith (Bangalow SC) – TAFE NSW Game Changer (photo credit: Maralyn Hanigan)
