Narrabri derby delivers as soccer season kicks off

At last, soccer is back.

Narrabri’s two teams went head-to-head in round one of the 2020 Namoi Soccer League season on Saturday and produced an entertaining match.

Narrabri Sporties FC, last year’s minor premiers and grand finalists, won the contest 6-0 against new clubmates Narrabri Elevens FC after leading the contest 2-0 at half-time.

A new-look centre back partnership of debutants Matt Hall and Jess O’Neil were solid throughout the game and helped contribute to the clean sheet.

At the other end of the field Jason Foxe, who was playing his first game since 2018, and debutant Brenton Cochrane were dangerous in attack.

But it was some familiar faces which played the crucial roles in the victory.

Narrabri Sporties FC skipper Zaac Brayshaw pulled off some terrific saves to keep the Elevens at bay, while his brother Cooper Brayshaw netted three times in a man-of-the-match performance.

The centre midfielder opened the scoring midway through the first half and went on to net twice in the second half to finish with a hat trick.

A Colby Williams strike late in the first half made the half-time score 2-0 and goals to Jake Brayshaw and Daniel Hall in the second stanza contributed to the big win.

The Elevens, despite the scoreline, were competitive throughout the match. They created several chances and in patches during the match played like a team that could push for a premiership in 2020.

But Sporties FC was too dominant on the day as it continued a 19-game regular season undefeated streak that dates back to August 2018.

Narrabri Sporties FC debutant Jess O’Neil impressed in his first Namoi Soccer League game. The former Narrabri Blues rugby league first grade forward played centre back on Saturday at Hogan Oval against Narrabri Elevens FC and helped his side secure a clean sheet in a 6-0 win. O’Neil is pictured above, left, defending the Elevens’ Cody Shepherdson. Narrabri Sporties FC debutant Jess O’Neil impressed in his first Namoi Soccer League game. The former Narrabri Blues rugby league first grade forward played centre back on Saturday at Hogan Oval against Narrabri Elevens FC and helped his side secure a clean sheet in a 6-0 win. O’Neil is pictured above, left, defending the Elevens’ Cody Shepherdson.

Elevens FC’s Bailey Campebll races towards goal as Sporties FC defender Matt Hall gives chase. Elevens FC’s Bailey Campebll races towards goal as Sporties FC defender Matt Hall gives chase.

Sporties FC’s goalkeeper Zaac Brayshaw sends the ball downfield. Sporties FC’s goalkeeper Zaac Brayshaw sends the ball downfield.

Elevens FC’s Riley Longworth and Sporties FC’s Jess O’Neil race to the ball. Elevens FC’s Riley Longworth and Sporties FC’s Jess O’Neil race to the ball.

Elevens FC’s Clayton Johannesen and Sporties FC’s Cooper Brayshaw battle for possession. Elevens FC’s Clayton Johannesen and Sporties FC’s Cooper Brayshaw battle for possession.

Elevens FC’s goalkeeper Matt Conroy sends the ball downfield. Elevens FC’s goalkeeper Matt Conroy sends the ball downfield.

Sporties FC’s Colby Williams charges towards goal. Sporties FC’s Colby Williams charges towards goal.

Sporties FC’s Daniel Hall pounces on a loose ball as Elevens FC’s Caine Cunningham prepares to make a tackle. Sporties FC’s Daniel Hall pounces on a loose ball as Elevens FC’s Caine Cunningham prepares to make a tackle.

Sporties FC’s Matt Hall passes to a teammate. Sporties FC’s Matt Hall passes to a teammate.

Sporties FC’s Jason Foxe takes the ball forward. Sporties FC’s Jason Foxe takes the ball forward.

Elevens FC’s Ayden Hunter runs the ball past Sporties FC’s Cooper Brayshaw. Elevens FC’s Ayden Hunter runs the ball past Sporties FC’s Cooper Brayshaw.

Sporties FC’s Jake Brayshaw slots a shot between Elevens FC defender Dylan Thompson and goalkeeper Matt Conroy to score his side’s third goal in the 6-0 win. Sporties FC’s Jake Brayshaw slots a shot between Elevens FC defender Dylan Thompson and goalkeeper Matt Conroy to score his side’s third goal in the 6-0 win.

Sporties FC’s Jacob Sunderland cuts in front the left and searches for a teammate to cross to. Sporties FC’s Jacob Sunderland cuts in front the left and searches for a teammate to cross to.

Elevens FC’s Dylan Thompson crosses the ball into the 18-yard box. Elevens FC’s Dylan Thompson crosses the ball into the 18-yard box.

Sporties FC’s Brenton Cochrane runs the ball into the 18-yard box. Sporties FC’s Brenton Cochrane runs the ball into the 18-yard box.

Elevens FC’s Brady Jenkins crosses the ball from a corner kick. Elevens FC’s Brady Jenkins crosses the ball from a corner kick.

Elevens FC’s Cody Shepherdson fires a shot as Sporties FC defender Ben Stride watches on. Elevens FC’s Cody Shepherdson fires a shot as Sporties FC defender Ben Stride watches on.

Sporties FC’s Rhys Hayne rushes in to tackle Elevens FC’s Riley Jenkins. Sporties FC’s Rhys Hayne rushes in to tackle Elevens FC’s Riley Jenkins.

Elevens FC’s Cody Shepherdson, right, runs the ball as Sporties FC defenders Jason Foxe and Matt Hall (21) attempt to dispossess him. Elevens FC’s Cody Shepherdson, right, runs the ball as Sporties FC defenders Jason Foxe and Matt Hall (21) attempt to dispossess him.

Pictured in action at Hogan Oval from left to right are Cooper Brayshaw (Narrabri Sporties FC), Bailey Campbell (Narrabri Elevens FC), Rhys Hayne (Narrabri Sporties FC), Riley Jenkins (Narrabri Elevens FC) and Izaac Jeffries (Narrabri Sporties FC). Pictured in action at Hogan Oval from left to right are Cooper Brayshaw (Narrabri Sporties FC), Bailey Campbell (Narrabri Elevens FC), Rhys Hayne (Narrabri Sporties FC), Riley Jenkins (Narrabri Elevens FC) and Izaac Jeffries (Narrabri Sporties FC).

Sporties FC coach Neil Brayshaw told The Courier that he was happy with his side’s performance.

“I was really pleased with the performance,” Brayshaw said.

“It’s been a long time between when we finished last season to now.

“Everyone was keen to go and I couldn’t have asked for much more really.

“We are playing with a new structure and there is a bit of improvement needed with that, it really took until the second half for a lot of the boys to catch on to how we want to play with that new structure.

“But it was our first game and all we can do now is build on what we are trying to achieve.”

Brayshaw said that he was impressed with the team’s performance as a whole but commended the side’s new players.

“All the new boys really stood up in their first games,” Brayshaw said.

“Especially the two former league blokes (Cochrane and O’Neill). They had to adjust to a different game and I reckon they did that really well.

“Then Matt Hall, you know he’s always going to be solid which he was, and Jason Foxe was great on his return.”

Sporties FC now turns its attention to defending champions Wee Waa United FC which it plays this weekend in round two at Hogan Oval.

2019 grand final winners Wee Waa started its title defence with a victory on Saturday.

It hosted Moree Services FC at Cook Oval and kept a clean sheet as it secured a 1-0 win.

The game’s lone goal was scored by the home side’s Elise Vinson 15 minutes into the second half.

Brayshaw said that he expected a tough game from Wee Waa and said that his side would need to be at its best in the grand final rematch.