MID Coast's Football's defence is improving in the Northern NSW Women's Premier League, so now it's time to look at the attack.
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Coast take on Adamstown Rosebuds on Sunday, with the game scheduled for the Taree Zone Field.
Mid Coast suffered some heavy defeats at the start of the season, but the defence has gradually improved, coach Mandi Langlar said. However, they've only managed three goals in seven games - by far the worst in the league.
"We were concentrating on defence for the first part because we were leaking goals terribly. Our young players weren't used to the speed of first grade and how quickly things happen,'' Langlar said.
"Now that they're starting to get the gist of that, we're starting to work more on getting the ball up-field and creating chances.''
While the goals aren't coming yet, Langlar said there are promising signs. She said they looked good in attack at times against the strong Newcastle Olympic side last Sunday, but at lack of finish proved costly. Olympic finally won the match 4-0.
Langlar pointed out that this is a new-look team this year. Mid Coast draws players from throughout the zone, that covers from Gloucester to Kempsey, while there are a couple who travel from the Coffs Harbour area.
"They were getting to know one-another in the first few rounds,'' she said.
"The communication on the field is a lot stronger and they're more comfortable with each other. They're very positive and that's one thing I do love about the team.
Not narky
"Sometimes teenage girls can be a bit narky, but these girls aren't and I think that's why we're improving so quickly. We're confident we're moving in the right direction.''
Adamstown also has a young side this year and Langlar believes Mid Coast are a real chance this week.
"Rosebuds have a few more who played together last year, so that helps them a bit. I certainly think that if we play our best, then we can get a result,'' she said.
"But I just hope we get a game with all this rain. We don't want another postponed match - heaven knows when we'll get to play them, we've just about used all our spare weekends now.''
Aris Hunter injured an ankle in last week's 4-0 loss to Newcastle Olympic, but she is expected to be right for Sunday. Otherwise Mid Coast has no injury worries going into the contest.
Langlar said goal keeper Grace Davies was outstanding against Olympic last weekend.
She added the players have challenged themselves to be competitive in all games for the remainder of the season.