Wet weather cruelly denied Narrabri FC and Inverell FC an epic Namoi Soccer League first grade top-of-the-table battle at Hogan Oval after their round 13 match was washed out on Saturday.

Inverell entered the weekend on top of the table on 30 points, but Narrabri FC was just two points behind and had the chance to bring the Inverell side’s eight-round run at the top to an end.

While the match would usually be rescheduled following a washout, this one was declared a nil-all draw (as was the reserve grade fixture) after both clubs agreed a new date would be too difficult to lock in.

Both clubs will have players and officials involved in the rescheduled Narrabri Junior Soccer Club carnival this Sunday and the Inverell club’s carnival the following Sunday, and the distance between the two towns makes a mid-week game too difficult for the visitors to make.

It was a result that was unfortunate for both first grade sides. From Narrabri FC’s point of view, three points would have put them on top of the ladder with just two rounds left. From an Inverell FC perspective, three points would have seen them move five points clear of the second-placed side and play to secure the minor premiership at home this weekend against Moree.

The race for first place could wrap up in round 14 if Inverell wins that game and Narrabri draws or loses away from home against Gunnedah FC, but if the Narrabri side wins, the minor premiership race will go down to the 15th and final round.

Narrabri Eleven FC was scheduled to play its round 13 matches on home soil on Saturday under lights against Gunnedah FC, but they too were washed out. Those two games are expected to be replayed as mid-week fixtures either this week or next.

The other round 13 fixtures did go ahead as Moree Services FC hosted Wee Waa United.

Those games were scheduled to be played at Cook Oval, but the two clubs decided to relocate after Wee Waa’s home ground was also washed out.
Both clubs prevailed on the day as Moree kicked off proceedings with a 1-0 reserve grade win before Wee Waa won the first grade contest 7-1 (see full story below).

Goals galore again for Wee Waa United FC

Wee Waa United FC was at its brilliant best again on Saturday when it piled on seven goals in a single game for the second consecutive week in the 2022 Namoi Soccer League first grade competition.

A week after bouncing back from two straight losses by scoring a 7-2 win against Gunnedah FC, the Wee Waa side travelled to Moree where it outscored Moree Services FC 7-1.

The round 13 game was originally scheduled to be played at Cook Oval, however, both clubs agreed to change venues after Wee Waa’s home ground was closed after the town received an abundance of rain.

Wee Waa United’s Nathan Hamblin continued his late-season resurgence following his switch from the left wing to the middle of the attacking line. A week after he piled on four goals on home soil against Gunnedah, the striker scored Wee Waa’s first and last goals of the opening half and also set up one either side of the break.

After Hamblin opened the scoring in the second minute of the contest, Moree midfielder Matt Urquhart equalised in the 12th when he put a free kick from just inside the halfway line into the back of the net.

Ray Nixon then restored the visiting side’s lead a minute later with a cracking strike from just outside the 18-yard box that flew into the top left corner.

Nixon doubled that advantage in the 34th minute when he reacted quickest to get onto the end of a loose ball and score from close range after a Nathan Hamblin volley was parried by Moree’s goalkeeper.

Hamblin then scored a volley from six yards out after getting onto the end of a superb cross from his brother Matt to make the half-time score 4-1.

After scoring Wee Waa’s fourth, Hamblin then set up its fifth just five minutes into the second stanza when he charged into the 18-yard box down the left edge and drove a cross along the turf to the back stick where team-mate Thomas Eldridge was waiting. He blasted the ball into the back of the net to make the score 5-1 and give the visitors an unassailable lead.

Just as his brother Nathan was, Matt Hamblin was in the thick of the action throughout the match. He claimed his second assist in the 74th minute when he crossed the ball from the left edge and found Lachlan Ford unmarked in the box, who made no mistake with a shot from 10 yards out.

That made the score 6-1, which was the way it seemed set to finish when the referee’s alarm sounded after 45 minutes of play in the second stanza.

However, Wee Waa capitalised on a stoppage-time period that felt like an eternity as Jayden Hamblin scored a sensational goal after running onto a through ball down the right edge and driving a shot from just inside the 18-yard box over the keeper and into the top left corner.

For the second half goal-scoring trio, it was the first time finding the back of the net for all of them this year.

Wee Waa United’s first grade captain and goalkeeper Steve Phelps watched the majority of Saturday’s match from the sideline as he rested a back strain, although he did play in the final 15 minutes out on the field.

He told The Courier he was thrilled with what he saw from the sideline from the entire Wee Waa United team, especially midfielder Alex Lucero.

“Alex controlled the midfield. He was solid and was everywhere we needed him to be. He really put in the hard yards,” Phelps said.

“We had a bit of a scare early today – their goal caught us off guard.

“We had a few moments early on where we dropped our head a little bit, but we were aware of it and picked it up quickly and we got back on top.

“We defended pretty well. Their (Moree’s) goal was a free kick from near halfway that went into the top corner. Not much you can do about that.

“Dean (Hamblin), Ibby (Ibrahim Sultani) and Jaydo (Jayden Hamblin) smashed it in the backline today, and we were clinical in front of goal.

“Straight after Moree scored their goal, we went back down the other end, and Ray had a shot into the top corner. It was a beautiful goal, and it set the tone for us.”

Meanwhile, Moree Services FC scored its eighth win of the year in the reserve grade competition earlier in the day as an Alex Madden strike five minutes from full time separated the sides as the hosts claimed a 1-0 victory.

This Saturday’s round 14 games will see Wee Waa United travel to Hogan Oval to challenge Narrabri Eleven FC, Inverell FC host Moree Services FC, and Gunnedah FC host Narrabri FC.