Up and running in Northern NSW

The Westfield FFA Cup is well and truly back as Football Far North Coast in Northern NSW kicked off its Preliminary Rounds on the weekend.

Reigning Football Far North Coast men’s premiers Bangalow proved too strong for Lennox Head despite several changes to the side that swamped all contenders last year to take their inaugural men’s premier title.

Goals to Byron Milne, Brin Hicks, Angus McDonnell and Jarrah Hall-Hart was enough to defeat the Sharks, whose lone goal was scored by former Sydney PS4 NPL player Zak Lowe.

Bluedogs coach Neil Fuller was satisfied but not reading too much into the side’s first hit out for 2017.

“We have several new players with plenty of youth so I am happy with the win and I believe we will be very competitive this season," Fuller said.

Despite the loss, Sharks mentor Troy Taylor was also relaxed about seeing his charges in their first game situation for the season.

“The lads were positive and I commend them for their effort. We had six new players in the team and I look forward to working with them in a season that will see the young guys learn a lot,” Taylor said.

Football Far North Coast

Alstonville accounted for Ballina 4-1, despite any early goal from Nick Key for the Seasiders with goals for Villa from Brodie Parker, Josh Mumford and two goals to Rick Hanna enough to get Villa home.

Coach Andy Brown commended the players who have been promoted to the top grade from the strong 16’s team last season.

The referee was arguably the busiest man on field in a torrid game at East Ballina where eight yellow cards were issued to go with a red card after the full time whitle. In the tally that mattered, the scoreboard, Stars prevailed 1-0 over Tintenbar East Ballina.

In the final game, Byron Bay were under strength and clearly rusty in their first game of the season but proved too strong for a young and gallant Thistles outfit, winning 3-0.

The next round will be played on Wednesday night 13 April.

CLICK HERE for all of the Preliminary Round results so far.