Narrabri FC secured a maiden reserve grade minor premiership on Saturday when it defeated Moree Services FC 2-0 in round 13 of the Namoi Premier League campaign.
The Narrabri side went into the top-of-the-table clash nine points clear of second-placed Moree, which meant that a draw would have been enough to clinch top spot. However, the team well and truly rose to the occasion as it scored its 11th clean sheet in 13 games to move 12 points clear at the top with two games to go.
The reserve grade competition was introduced to the Namoi Premier League in 2021, and Narrabri FC has fielded the youngest side ever since.
The young players’ growth, both as a team and individually, is a testament to themselves and the hard work they have put in over the years, as well as the coaches they have had along the way, including Danny Laws (2021), Ben Stride (2022) and Darren Moodie (2023).
They have a few more senior players in the playing group as well who offer guidance and experience, including the likes of Stride, James Stuart, Jakeb Nipperess and Bailey Campbell.
Narrabri FC finished second on the ladder in its first two seasons in the reserve grade competition, both years beaten by a far more dominant first-placed team.
It was Moree in 2021 and Inverell in 2022, but this year, there has been no stopping the Narrabri players.
They are undefeated after 13 games and have picked up 37 of a possible 39 points following 12 wins and a draw.
They have been excellent in both the attack and defence, having scored 48 goals and conceded just twice.
Moodie, who played for the side last season but switched to the coach’s role for the 2023 campaign, said that all the credit belonged to the players.
“The boys, and Lauren, they’re the ones who have achieved it, and I’m proud of them all,” Moodie said.
“I facilitate, and they go out there and perform on the park.
“Myself and Neil (the club’s first grade coach Neil Brayshaw) brought in a 3-5-2 formation as a system for both of our teams at the start of the season.
“We have a good balance of players to be able to create a good playing style around that.
“In reserve grade, it’s been all about the players listening and getting on board and performing the roles when they are asked to, which they have done. It’s also about effort and desire and that want to not concede, and that’s what this team has. They don’t want to concede.
“I’ve also got a team of players who are interchangeable. They can all play two or three positions.
“There’s a few older guys in our team, and the younger guys from last year have an extra year under their belt now, and they are more confident in their ability as well.
“Our first game of the season was a 1-0 win. It was a hard win. But as the players have become more confident in themselves, they’ve become more dominant. They have belief in each other as well, which is so important.”
On Saturday, the score was locked at nil-all at half-time after neither side was able to find the back of the net in the first half.
Moree had the best chance with a penalty kick, however, the home side’s goalkeeper Josh Taylor dived the right way and saved the shot.
Narrabri FC’s Cody Shepherdson broke the deadlock about 10 minutes into the second half, and he thought he had a second about nine minutes later, however, it was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up.
The hosts managed to find a second goal midway through the half when Bailey Campbell found the back of the net to make the score 2-0, which was the way it remained when the full-time whistle sounded.
The other reserve grade game was played on Thursday night at Hogan Oval when Narrabri Eleven FC drew 2-all with Wee Waa United FC.
Wee Waa is ranked third on eight points and the Elevens are fourth on five points.
There are still two rounds left to play, but Narrabri FC and Moree have locked in top-two finishes and will meet in the major semi-final later this month on Saturday, August 26.
Narrabri FC was also victorious in first grade against Moree on Saturday
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