Theo Clarke was delighted when he scored his first goal in the Football Far North Coast Premier League to put Lismore Richmond Rovers ahead early in the first half against Bangalow on Bill Harris Field, East Lismore, last night.

Clarke, named 2021 College Captain at Trinity Catholic College, was part of an unchanged Richmond Rovers team that defeated East Lismore rivals Lismore Thistles on Saturday. Coach Todd Jones again rolling back the years as a striker.

One goal decides tough local East Lismore derby

"We started off really well and deserved the goal, which was about 15 to 20 minutes in. But within 30 seconds they had equalised and by half-time they were leading 3-1," said Jones.

"We played dumb football. We had talked about what we had to do but after the goal we became slow, slow to react."

In the second half Rovers came out a different side and put Bangalow under immense pressure but time and again they found the Bluedogs' goalkeeper Jefte Juarez Leiva in inspired form.

"We had so many chances to score but every time we play after him he had a very good game. He made some great saves," said Jones.

"Even their coach admitted they were very poor in the second half but we just could not score, get it passed the keeper."

As Rovers pushed men forward in the hope of getting a goal back, Banagalow broke out with five minutes remaining and scored a fourth.

Jones singled out experienced defender Mitch "Dutchy" Holland as his best player on the night.

Bangalow scored five goals in the last 15 minutes against Maclean on Sunday and have a 100% record after two matches. South Lismore Celtic, the 2019 Premiers, also has a 100% record after two matches.

Richmond Rovers play a derby match at South Lismore Celtic on Sunday afternoon.

Football Far North Coast Premier League Round 2

Byron Bay 1 Alstonville 2

Richmond Rovers 1 Lismore Thistles 0

Goonellabah 1 South Lismore Celtic 2

Bangalow 5 Maclean 1

Byron Bay 1 Lismore Thistles 0

Richmond Rovers 1 Bangalow 4

Points score (matches played in brackets): Bangalow 6 (2), South Lismore 6 (2), Maclean 6 (3), Goonellabah 3 (3), Byron Bay 3 (2), Richmond Rovers 3 (3), Alstonville 3 (2), Lismore Thistles 0 (3).

Football Far North Coast Premier League Round 3

Lismore Thistles v Bangalow, John Ryan Field, Saturday, 3pm

Maclean v Alstonville, Wherrett Park, Saturday, 5pm

Byron Bay v Goonellabah, Sunday, Byron Bay Memorial Recreation Grounds, 2:30pm

South Lismore v Richmond Rovers, South Lismore, Sunday, 2.30pm