Italo Stars out to ensure place

ITALO Stars will be looking to guarantee their place in Far North Coast premier league soccer next year by securing at least a draw from their away clash with Lennox Head tonight.

With Stars just three points ahead of last-placed Casino, a loss would leave the door open for the Cobras to sneak past them on goal difference, if they win their home clash with Bangalow tomorrow.

"It's been a difficult season and Lennox will be tough on home soil, but we're well aware of the importance of the game and I have faith in the guys to finish the season on a high," Stars coach Neil Wraight said.

But they will have to do it without three of their best players in top scorer Leigh Simpson and key midfielders Jeremy Pollard and Tom Henry.

Lennox have only central defender Bryce Wilson missing from an otherwise full-strength side, which will be looking to avenge a 4-1 loss to Stars in their first-round clash.

"We're going into the game with a positive approach and want to end a frustrating year on the right note," Sharks coach Matt Kelso said.

One other game will be played tonight, with Goonellabah and Alstonville ending their seasons with what is effectively a dead rubber at Weston Park.

Goonellabah are likely to finish a difficult year seventh.

Villa has just missed out on the semis for the fourth year in a row and will finish sixth no matter what the result.

Both games kick off at 8pm.