The Highlanders hit their home turf against the in-form Norths United teams in first and second divisions on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The second division team will rue their missed opportunities in the opening half where their opponents only fielded eight players.
They conceded three goals prior to halftime before Norths managed to complete their team.
In the second half, with the teams matched number for number, the Highlanders nailed two goals to bring the deficit back to just one.
When we did have the ball up front and in the middle we were controlling it very well.
- Tom Sines
It wasn’t enough as the scoreline remained at 3-2 when the fulltime siren sounded.
“If there were another 10 minutes in that game we could have equalled, the score could have been different,” seconds coach Tom Sines said.
“We were missing a fair few from second division.
“Captain Hugh Mitchell steered the team around well.
“Simone Fuller played well up front.
“This game we actually finished off well but we didn't start well which was opposite to what we normally do.”
Mick Maroney was again accurate with the boot, earning another brace in a high-scoring affair in first division.
While attack kept the big crowd entertained with plenty of goals scored, both teams performances were soured by lacklustre defence.
Sines played for firsts and said while the team played well, getting the ball out of the opponents’ attacking area is something they have to work on.
“It was a very fast game,” he said.
“They're a good side, they're a lot better than they were last year.
“We messed around with the ball at the back.
“We missing our goalkeeper, Tom Mitchell, and we were missing another midfielder.
“When we did have the ball up front and in the middle we were controlling it very well.”
The sides travel down to Armidale this Saturday for games against City Westside.
Westside’s first division team are yet to secure a win while seconds have only managed one.
Sines said the Highlanders are likely to be close to full strength for both grades but will not going into either game with a complacent attitude.
"They are still going to be tough,” he said.
“By the sounds of things, we are going to have a full side for the first time this week. We are not going to take them lightly. I think we should bring home points on both games.”
The next home game for the Highlanders will be on June 3 in a first grade grand final rematch against The Armidale School, who beat the home team 7-2 in the opening round.