There is a new leader at the top of the Namoi Soccer League first grade ladder and it is a familiar face in the defending five-time minor premiers Narrabri FC.
At Hogan Oval in the 10th round of the season on Saturday, Narrabri FC produced a dominant display from start to finish against its local rivals Narrabri Eleven FC to leapfrog both Wee Waa United FC and Inverell FC.
Narrabri FC scored its biggest win in six seasons when it outscored the Elevens 16-1, which eclipsed the competition’s largest winning margin of 14 goals that was set by Wee Waa against Moree Services FC two weeks prior in round eight.
Cooper Brayshaw kicked off the scoring in the 11th minute of the round 10 match on Saturday. The Narrabri FC captain then doubled his side’s lead with his second goal of the game in the 27th minute.
His team then piled on four more goals in the final 15 minutes of the half to enter the break with a 6-0 lead.
Brayshaw scored the first goal of the second half to complete his hat-trick and make the score 7-0, which kick-started a frenzy as Narrabri FC established an 11-0 lead on the hour-mark.
Ollie Stait then made the score 12-0 in the 63rd minute with his maiden first grade goal when he found the bottom right corner with a powerful shot from just inside the 18-yard box.
The Elevens found the back of the net in the 65th minute when Bailey Campbell struck a powerful shot from about 25 metres out into the bottom left hand corner.
It was a well-deserved goal for a side that refused to give up despite the snowballing scoreline as well as its captain, Campbell, who led by
example up front and created several chances for his team, even striking the crossbar with a shot from halfway.
Narrabri FC then responded with four more goals in a 10-minute period between the 70th and 80th minutes to make the final score 16-1.
Brayshaw and Colby Williams both netted four goals each in their side’s win on Saturday, while Blake Jarrett with a hat trick and Zac Stait with a brace were Narrabri FC’s other two multiple goal-scorers. Teammates Jake Brayshaw and Ollie Stait scored one goal each and there was also an own goal.
That was the only game played at Hogan Oval after the Elevens forfeited the reserve grade game in round 10.
Narrabri FC went into Saturday’s first grade match ranked third on 19 points, just one point behind Wee Waa United and two points behind Inverell FC.
It finished the day one point ahead of the second-placed side and two clear of the third-placed team.
However, Inverell and Wee Waa both have a game in hand and will play against each other this Saturday in a rescheduled round 10 game in Inverell.
That match’s winner will finish on top of the table with just five rounds remaining, but Narrabri FC will stay on top if those two sides draw.
Meanwhile, Gunnedah FC moved within four points of the top three on Saturday with a 5-0 home ground win against Moree Services FC.
Coach Andy Cygan continued his impressive goal-scoring form when he added his 12th of the season in the first half, while Zac Crowhurst and Matt Williams also netted to make the score 3-0 at the break. Crowhurst then scored again in the second stanza and there was also an own goal.
In reserve grade, second-placed Moree defeated Gunnedah FC 5-3.
The two round 10 results saw the ladder standings in the reserve grade competition remain unchanged.
After Inverell FC hosts Wee Waa United this Saturday, the 11th round of the campaign will be contested on Saturday, July 23.
The Elevens host Moree at Hogan Oval that afternoon before Wee Waa United meets Narrabri FC at the same venue under lights that evening. The other game will see Gunnedah FC host Inverell FC.
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