Short History

2006 Port Saints mens team were reborn. Originally started out in 2003 in the mens saturday grade then disbanded. Peter Boskovski came along and offered the club his services and that he will get a team together then build up to become a premier league team. By March 2006, there were 14 players, however news travelled fast and Peter Boskovski chose to run two teams with Pavel (Chicken) Deak running the 2nd team. Chicken stood down and Barry Vander Sanden took over running of the Lions whilst Pete ran the Cougars although all training was as one team not two.

2007 Peter Boskovski ran the cougars to the Grand Finals winning on the first attempt. A great achievement in their short history whilst Craig White, John Hurst & Mark Fowler took the reins of the Lions where they finished in the Top 6. That particular year, the competition was split in 2 half way through the season  so both teams made it to the A-Grade.

2008 Port Saints Premier side was created out of both Cougars & Lions teams and new additions. John Hurst became coach of the Reserve Grade and Peter Boskovki the Premier Grade. with the success of 2007, many players joined Port Saints so a new mens saturday side was created with Craig White as Player/ Manager of the "Scorpions".

2007 SEASON

Port Saints Cougars:
Back row (left to right): Eddie Gillroy, Matt Williams, Glynn Stewart, Nathan Attard, Omid Amini, Peter Boskovski, Pavel Deak
Front row (left to right): Mick Garrad, Daniel Gardner, Reuben Rundle, Ryan Baulman, Mitch Howard, Craig Woodcock, Josh Dever
Not pictured: Trent Carrall, Chris Dwyer, Steve Cicak

Port Saints Lions:
Back row (left to right): Hema Singam, Mark Fowler, Jason Asmus, Sam Trembath, Trent Harrison, Nick Bennie, Steve Basso, Jay Prasad, John Hurst
Middle row: Somkiat Termchai
Front row: Mick Casey, Craig White, Simon Hitchcock, Leigh Dakin, Ivan Kutlak, Daniel Carter, Mark Shaw, Luis Santos

For 2007 Port Saints Cougars and Port Saints Lions regular season results and league table please click here.

For 2007 Port Saints Cougars and Port Saints Lions 'A' Grade results and league table please click here.

For 2007 Port Saints Cougars finals results please click here.

Grand Final (1 September 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars have won a thrilling Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League Grand Final 4-3 against the Kempsey Hornets thanks to a 112th-minute 'golden goal'.

Matt Williams had sent the game into extra-time when his 86th-minute effort made it 3-3, and the same player sealed an unforgettable win midway through the second period of extra-time with his second of an absorbing game that had just about everything.

Williams had the first shot on goal in the eighth minute, firing a free-kick straight at the Kempsey goalkeeper, but three minutes later the Hornets went ahead with their first effort on goal, one of their defenders coming up from the back to head a corner powerfully home.

Cougars goalkeeper Ryan Baulman then did well to save another Kempsey shot, although the follow-up should have been slotted home, but on 17 minutes it was 2-0 as a ball in from the left was completely missed by everyone apart from an alert Kempsey forward, who tucked it away with ease.

The Cougars tried to get back into the game with shots from Peter Boskovski and Josh Dever, but on the half-hour mark their chances seemed to sink even further when substitute Nathan Attard suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury, and was taken away by ambulance.

Despite that setback the Cougars managed to hit back with Dever reacting quickest to halve the deficit, but two minutes later the Hornets made it 3-1 with a soft effort - a shot looping up onto the crossbar, and bouncing down for a Kempsey player to slot the ball into an empty net.

Again the Cougars came back however, and Boskovski sent his side into the half-time break in a much better mood with a glancing header that again put his side within one goal of their opponents.

Kempsey started the second half well, coming close on two occasions early on, but with just four minutes remaining Williams got on the end of a ball over the top, and raced through before smashing the ball past the goalkeeper.

That sent that game into extra-time, and for the first time in the match the game swung the Cougars way when Kempsey's sweeper was sent off. From the resulting free-kick Williams came close, only to be denied by a fine save.

With a dreaded penalty shootout in sight, Williams was again put through and although he looked third favourite in the race to the ball behind a Kempsey defender and goalkeeper, he somehow managed to get there first and stroke the ball home to seal a memorable win.

It was a stunning performance by the Cougars, defeating the previously unbeaten Hornets with a never-say-die performance and lifting the trophy in just their second season in the competition.

The Hornets, who suffered their third Grand Final defeat in a row despite dominating the competition yet again, were gracious in defeat despite their obvious disappointment at having another title decider snatched from their grasp.

Port Saints Cougars 4 (Matt Williams 2, Josh Dever, Peter Boskovski) defeated Kempsey Hornets 3 (3-3 at the end of 90 minutes - Cougars won 4-3 on 'golden goal)

Final (25 August 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars will take on the Kempsey Hornets in the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League Grand Final after a stunning 3-1 victory over the Panthers.

The Panthers led 1-0 with just eight minutes remaining thanks to an early goal, but the Cougars battled through with late goals from Matt Williams, Reuben Rundle and Josh Dever.

The Panthers went ahead with their first effort on goal after just 10 minutes, some good build-up play being finished off with a clinical finish into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Seconds later it was almost 2-0, Cougars goalkeeper Ryan Baulman coming to his side's rescue and soon after Baulman was called into action again, producing an even better save to keep his side in the game.

Williams tried to drag his side back into things as half-time approached, firstly heading straight at the goalkeeper and then putting a cross over that just went wide, and when Glynn Stewart nearly scored immediately after half-time, it looked like the Cougars were due an equaliser.

But the game settled down after that, and with 16 minutes remaining it looked the Panthers had doubled their lead, only for the referee to pull play back for a foul by a Cougars player - much to the disgust of the Panthers players.

On 82 minutes the Cougars got back on level terms, Stewart crossing for Williams to chest the ball down before firing home, and five minutes later Rundle headed home a Stewart corner to put his side ahead for the first time in the match.

With time almost up the Cougars grabbed an unlikely third thanks to the perseverance of Dever, who capitalised on a horrendous mix-up to tap into an empty net.

Port Saints Cougars 3 (Matt Williams, Reuben Rundle, Josh Dever) defeated Panthers 1

Minor semi-final (18 August 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars are just one game away from the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League Grand Final after defeating Lake Cathie 1-0 in their minor semi-final.

The Cougars left it late in a tight match however, Matt Williams netting with just three minutes remaining after being well set up by Peter Boskovski.

An even contest had looked destined for extra-time until then, although the Raiders caused problems from set pieces while at the other end both Josh Dever and Williams hit the crossbar.

Lake Cathie had also hit the crossbar just after half-time, but in the end Williams - who took his personal tally to seven goals in three games against the Raiders this season - settled the game for a Cougars side whose win owed much to a solid defence as well as some tireless running in midfield.

The first chance of the game came in the fifth minute when the Cougars needed goalkeeper Ryan Baulman to scramble away a Raiders corner at the second attempt.

At the other end Omid Amini tried a left-foot shot that was also saved at the second attempt, and on 18 minutes Dever came even closer, cutting in only to see his shot hit the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Just before half-time Lake Cathie caused consternation in the Cougars' defence with a corner that Baulman again managed to grab at the second attempt, while seconds before the half-time whistle Williams saw his effort saved.

Three minutes after the break the Raiders had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for handball, but when the referee waved play on, a curling shot from distance thudded against the Cougars crossbar.

That seemed to wake the team from Port up, and in the best move of the game Mick Garrad's cross was poked goalwards by Williams, only for the ball to hit the goalkeeper and bounce up onto the crossbar.

For the third time another Lake Cathie corner caused all sorts of problems for the Cougars, and with 15 minutes remaining it looked like we might get the opening goal, only for Baulman to do well to tip a shot around the post.

It seemed like neither team would break the deadlock, but Boskovski showed great determination to win the ball in the midfield, and when he then put Williams through, Lake Cathie's nemesis was able to put his team into a showdown with the Panthers - who lost 1-0 to Kempsey - for a place in the decider.

Port Saints Cougars 1 (Matt Williams) defeated Lake Cathie Raiders 0

Round 16 (11 August 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars have finished third in the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League despite going down to a 4-1 defeat at Kempsey Hornets.

The home side, unbeaten this season, took an early lead, only for the Cougars to quickly respond through Matt Williams.

The Hornets regained the lead before half-time however, and two more goals in the second half ensured they will remain firm favourites for this year's title going into the finals series.

Port Saints Cougars 1 (Matt Williams) lost to Kempsey Hornets 4 

The Cougars will still be full of heart going into the semi-finals on Saturday however, and will be cheered on by the Port Saints Lions, who may not have qualified but did finish their season with a shock 2-1 win over Lake Cathie Raiders.

The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was when Lake Cathie had a 'goal' disallowed for handball, but in the second half they took the lead with a freak goal from near the right-hand touchline.

After four defeats on the trot the Lions could have been excused for dropping their heads, but they were soon level thanks to a wonderful Jason Asmus free-kick, and when man-of-the-match Simon Hitchcock did well on the left before putting a cross in, Daniel Carter made a difficult chance look easy by volleying home to give his side a shock victory.

Port Saints Lions 2 (Jason Asmus, Daniel Carter) defeated Lake Cathie 1

Round 15 (4 August 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars edged to their second 3-2 victory in two weeks, defeating Port United this time in their Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League clash on Saturday.

Just seven days after edging past the Port Saints Lions by the same scoreline, the Cougars again fought hard to pick up all three points without ever really hitting top gear.

Port United took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to a fine individual goal, with one of the midfielders breaking forward, beating two men before firing a fine left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

But the Cougars grabbed an undeserved equaliser when Glynn Stewart's fine cross was taken expertly on the chest by Matt Williams, who then lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Williams then made it 2-1 just before the half-time whistle from the penalty spot, and although Port United hit back in the second half with another fine goal on the hour-mark, Josh Dever proved to be the match-winner nine minutes later when he headed home after Craig Woodcock's free-kick was flicked on.

Port Saints Cougars 3 (Matt Williams 2 (1 pen), J Dever) defeated Port United 2

Meanwhile the Port Saints Lions went down to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Panthers.

The Panthers deservedly went ahead mid-way through the first half, but the Lions were gifted an equaliser in the second stanza thanks to a handball in the penalty area by a Panthers player. Mark Fowler stepped up to convert his fourth penalty of the season, although it only just crept in.

The Panthers hit back however, scoring a goal on the break with the striker doing well to stay on his feet after Fowler's clumsy attempt at a tackle from behind, and slotting the ball home well to keep his side in the hunt for this year's title.

Port Saints Lions 1 (Mark Fowler (pen)) lost to Panthers 2

Round 14 (28 July 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars have edged to a 3-2 victory over Port Saints Lions in a thrilling Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League encounter.

In a controversial clash the Cougars - as expected - picked up all three points. What no one could have predicted was just how close the contest would be.

The Cougars took the lead in the 34th minute through Matt Williams, who converted from the penalty spot - albeit only just - after Trent Harrison was harshly adjudged to have handled in the penalty area.

But despite conceding 15 goals in their last two outings, the Lions showed great heart in hitting back in the second half, firstly on 65 minutes through a deflected Daniel Carter effort and then seven minutes later with Jay Prasad netting his first of the season.

That should have been that, only for the referee to again penalise Harrison for an infringement in the penalty area, with Williams converting his second penalty of the afternoon with just 10 minutes remaining.

It looked like both teams would be left with a double celebration - a point each as well as the news that Westport have agreed to sponsor the club - but in the final minute a ball in from the right from Pavel Deak caused confusion in the Lions defence, and somehow ended up in the back of the net to give the Cougars all three points.

The Cougars may harbour ambitions of winning the competition this year, but it was the Lions who started the better of the two teams, Steve Basso and Harrison both coming close in the first half-hour before at the other end Lions goalkeeper Nick Bennie did well to keep out a close-range effort.

The first goal wasn't long in coming however, with Harrison seemingly being pushed before the ball hit his arm, but the referee had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick.

Williams took the penalty which crept in despite the best efforts of Bennie, who dived to his left and managed to get a hand on the ball.

Bennie then did well to block Josh Dever's effort after the striker's fine run, but the teams went in at the break separated by Williams' penalty.

The second half started in the same cautious fashion as the first, and it was the Lions who eventually threatened with John Hurst's effort well palmed over by Cougars goalkeeper Ryan Baulman.

And a minute later the Lions were level thanks to Carter whose shot took a big deflection before nestling in the back of the net for his second goal of the season. Carter and Jason Asmus shone for the Lions in a fine team performance, with Simon Hitchcock not far behind playing in a deeper role than normal.

The goal lifted the Lions, and on 72 minutes Prasad poked the ball home after Asmus's intelligent lay-off.

However, Harrison was then penalised for pulling back Dever in the penalty area with 10 minutes remaining, which Williams this time despatched with ease, but at the other end Luis Santos twisted and turned well only to see his shot well saved by Baulman.

With time almost up man-of-the-match Deak produced an unlikely - and undeserved - winner in the final minute.

It was heart-breaking stuff for the Lions, who were spirited throughout after some recent poor form and will justifiably feel robbed of a point - if not all three - while the Cougars will believe they got out of jail on a day their performance was well below par.

Port Saints Cougars 3 (Matt Williams 2 pens, P Deak) defeated Port Saints Lions 2 (D Carter, J Prasad)

Round 13 (21 July 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars have defeated Lake Cathie Raiders 4-0 in the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League thanks to a virtuoso performance from Matt Williams.

Williams, who went into the game having scored 11 times this season, netted all four goals to sink the Raiders and move the Cougars to within a point of the reigning champions.

The left-winger opened the scoring early from the penalty spot after Glynn Stewart had been brought down, and added a second goal before half-time. Two more goals in the second half sealed a comfortable win for the Cougars.

Port Saints Cougars 4 (Matt Williams 4) defeated Lake Cathie Raiders 0

The Port Saints Lions, who take on the Cougars on Saturday, went down to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Port United.

The Lions hit back after going a goal down, Simon Hitchcock netting his fifth of the season, but the experience of Port United proved too much as the visitors romped to victory in the second half.

The Lions and Cougars clash at 1:30pm on Saturday, with the Cougars firm favourites after winning all three previous encounters between the two teams.

Port Saints Lions 1 (Simon Hitchcock) lost to Port United 5

Round 12 (15 July 2007)
The Port Saints Cougars and the Panthers have fought out a 0-0 draw in the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League.

In a game switched to Sunday because of the A-League Pre-Season Cup game at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium a day earlier, the Panthers thought they had taken an early lead only for the 'goal' to be ruled out for offside.

The Cougars enjoyed some good spells against a team going into the game on the back of eight straight wins, but the in-form Panthers should have snatched all three points at the death, only to fluff a simple chance.

Port Saints Cougars 0 drew with Panthers 0

Sunday was a day to forget for the Port Saints Lions meanwhile, as they lost 10-0 at league leaders Kempsey Hornets.

The Lions started well until conceding the first goal after 20 minutes, but from then on it became a procession as the home side went in at the break 7-0 up.

Things got a little better for the Lions after the break, but they still conceded a further three goals to slump to an embarrassing defeat.

Both Port Saints teams are competing in the 'A' Grade after making the top six, and both teams are at home on Saturday with the Lions looking to bounce back against Port United at 1:15pm, while the Cougars host the Lake Cathie Raiders at 3pm.

Port Saints Lions 0 lost to Kempsey Hornets 10

Round 11 (7 July 2007)
Two goals from Matt Williams helped the Port Saints Cougars to a narrow 2-1 victory over Port United in the Football Mid-North Coast Men's Northern Saturday League.

The Cougars took the lead against the run of play after 21 minutes, Williams getting on the end of a quick break before tucking the ball home, and the same player doubled his side's lead 13 minutes later, firing home after Glynn Stewart did well down the right.

Port United hit back with 21 minutes remaining thanks to a wonderful free-kick, but the Cougars held on for their sixth win in the opening 11 games of the season.

Port Saints Cougars 2 (Matt Williams 2) defeated Port United 1

Port Saints Lions also picked up all three points after overcoming a spirited South West Rocks outfit 4-0.

The Rocks battled hard despite playing the first 50 minutes with only nine men, but the Lions went into the break three goals up thanks to two from Simon Hitchcock and one from Jason Asmus.

The game swung in the away side's favour once they got their full compliment of players in the second half, but the Lions held on and added a late goal through Mark Fowler's third penalty of the season.

The results mean both Port Saints teams finish in the top six ahead of the league splitting into two groups.

Port Saints Lions 4 (Simon Hitchcock 2, Jason Asmus, Mark Fowler (pen)) defeated South West Rocks 0
League positions: Cougars 4th, Lions 6th