Derby night delight as Narrabri FC wins ninth consecutive 2021 season match

Narrabri FC temporarily extended its lead at the top of the Namoi Soccer League ladder to 17 points following a 6-1 derby win against Elevens FC last Thursday.

The two sides met at Hogan Oval in the rescheduled round eight match after the original fixture was washed out on Saturday, June 26.

It was the first time the two clubs had met in a night match, with all 17 of their previous encounters being played as afternoon fixtures.

Neil Brayshaw’s men never looked like losing after taking the lead just 50 seconds into the contest when skipper Cooper Brayshaw netted the goal of the game. He controlled a skied Elevens clearance just outside the 18-yard box down the left edge, took a touch inside to set himself then fired a powerful dipping strike over the head of goalkeeper Jakeb Nipperess which flew into the back of the net as it narrowly missed the underside of the crossbar.

Narrabri FC suffered a setback midway through the first half when Nathan Trindall headed the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a Cody Shepherdson cross.

That made the score 1-all, but Narrabri FC regained the lead through a Blake Jarrett strike in the 31st minute and never looked back.

Brayshaw netted his second in the 39th minute to make the half-time score 3-1, then Colby Williams fired a second half double before Brayshaw completed his hat-trick with an 89th-minute strike to make the score 6-1.

Narrabri FC coach Neil Brayshaw was pleased with his side’s start, just days after challenging his men to come out firing after they went behind after four minutes in their round nine match against Moree Services FC.

He told The Courier that he was happy with his players’ response to that challenge and added that he was impressed with some of the great ball movement and teamwork which was on display throughout the evening.

While Cooper Brayshaw’s opener was unassisted, he and his teammates pressed the Elevens from the opening whistle to force the early turnover which led to the goal.

The next five goals were all scored off the back of a combination of crosses or through balls as the side continues to build momentum going forward after a mid-season formation switch which has had a positive effect on the team’s play.

That victory saw Narrabri FC move to a maximum 27 points following nine wins from as many matches in 2021, 17 clear of second-placed Moree Services FC.

However, the Moree men were victorious in round 10 on Saturday when they beat the Elevens 2-0 in Moree.

A Tyson Gainey strike made the half-time score 1-0 at the Moree Services field, before Moree’s Matt Urquhart scored the only goal in the second stanza as the hosts secured their fourth win of the season.

With that goal, Urquhart joined Narrabri FC’s Colby Williams on eight goals at the top of the Namoi Soccer League’s golden boot race.

That match was scheduled to be played at Hogan Oval but was moved to Moree after the Narrabri field was closed following Friday’s rain.

Narrabri FC’s game against Wee Waa was also set to be played at Hogan Oval but was postponed and is now expected to be played on Thursday, July 22.

That washout meant that Narrabri FC was forced to put a potential first grade minor premiership celebration on hold.

A win on Saturday would have secured a fifth consecutive first-placed finish for the defending champions, but they will now wait until possibly this Saturday to earn that achievement.

The two Narrabri sides will meet again at Hogan Oval, while Wee Waa United travels to Moree to take on Moree Services FC.

A Narrabri FC win and a Wee Waa loss or draw would see the ladder leaders wrap up the minor premiership race with five games left to play.