South Lismore host Alstonville in the 21st and final regular season fixture in Football Far North Coast’s Premier Division competition. 

South Lismore go into the game in second position on the ladder, while Alstonville sit seventh despite beating the top three in the competition this season. 

The two teams have met twice throughout the season with Alstonville collecting the three points in Round Four at South Lismore and a 1-1 draw being played out in the return fixture at Alstonville. 

The only win for South Lismore over Alstonville this season was a 3-0 result in the ANZAC Cup. 

The Celtics go into the game knowing that three points will secure a remarkable top two finish. 

Coach Cameron Hyde said his players should be looking forward to finish the regular season on a high. 

“We’ve had a very good season to be in this position and we want to make sure we repeat last week’s performance . 

“Our aim at the start of the season was to improve on 2018 and to be in this position with one game to go is a great feeling for all of us in the squad.”

South Lismore entered the season with a little bit of an unknown and whether the ‘second year syndrome’ would play a part on Hyde’s squad. 

They lost experienced players in Jack Baker, Josh Wraight and Jay Keevers. While young attacker Joel Goulding, who started every Premier Division game in 2018, would temporarily play for Tweed Heads in 2019 before returning mid season to Reserve Grade. 

In came young players who were eager to impress the coaching staff and cement a spot in the top team. 

Murray Towner returned to his junior club from Alstonville in search of an attacking role. He’s started every game this season and has repaid the faith put in him. 

Young midfielder Harry Armstrong returned to the club after playing the past two Summer Youth League competitions with the Celtics but took a year off in 2018. He cemented one of the midfield positions vacated by Wraight and Keevers. 

Noah Coleman also benefited from the experienced duo leaving the squad. Coleman has taken the step up from Reserve Grade and shown he can compete with the best in the competition after tremendous performances at Rovers and Byron Bay in recent weeks. 

South Lismore didn’t want to only be known as an excellent defensive side. They aimed to improve their attacking football and 2019 has seen the Celtics lead the goal scoring charts heading into the final game. 

Attackers Kaine Allan and Bob Mullenberg have shown they’ve improved on last seasons efforts by increasing their goal scoring tally to double figures each and playing a hand in many others. 

While Paddy Kable has scored more goals than any midfielder this season with 21. 

With Allan again being rested tomorrow, Hyde expects another big effort from experienced player Jonty Miller as he moves further up the field. 

In a surprise move, Hyde has decided to rest one of his best players to avoid possible suspensions leading into the finals. 

“Unfortunately I’ve told Jack Maher he’ll be rested for this game," he said. 

“Jack did what was best for the team and he’s too important for the finals and we don’t want to be in the same position as last year when key players missed the first semi due to suspension.”

Robert Vail will get his first start of the season and he comes in knowing Hyde’s got so much faith in him. 

“He’s been with us for three seasons now and understands exactly how we want to play. He’s one of the most reliable players we have in the squad,” said Hyde.

A win tomorrow from South Lismore will see them as one of the only teams to have beaten every team in the competition. 

“We respect Villa and know they’re a very good side. I think they’ve lacked consistency throughout the year but on their day they can beat anyone like they’ve shown,” said Hyde. 

Premier Division Round 18

Ballina 2 Bangalow 5

South Lismore v Alstonville, South Lismore, 1pm Reserve Grade, 3pm First Grade

Goonellabah v Lismore Richmond Rovers, Weston Park, 1pm Reserve Grade, 3pm First Grade

Lismore Thistles v Byron Bay, John Ryan Field, Thistles Park, 12.30pm Reserve Grade, 2.30pm First Grade

Premier Division Points Score (matches played): Byron Bay 43 (20) South Lismore 36 (20) Lismore Richmond Rovers 36 (20), Bangalow 34 (21) Lismore Thistles 34 (20) Goonellabah 27 (20), Alstonville 24 (20), Ballina 0 (21)

Premier Reserve Points Score (matches played): South Lismore 49 (20), Byron Bay 36 (20) Lismore Thistles 35 (20) Lismore Richmond Rovers 34 (20), Bangalow 29 (21) Goonellabah 27 (20), Alstonville 16 (20) Ballina 6 (201)