Namoi United kept their finals hopes alive in round 14 of the 2024 Northern Inland Premier League first grade season on Saturday when they scored a 2-1 comeback win against Norths United on home soil at Hogan Oval.
The combined Narrabri/Wee Waa/Moree outfit and the Armidale-based visitors both went into the weekend ranked fifth on their respective conference ladders and needed to win to move closer to the top three.
Namoi United managed to do that after Cooper Brayshaw’s 69th-minute winner separated the sides after they had entered the break locked at 1-1.
That goal was Brayhaw’s 10th of the season as he became the first Namoi United player to reach double digits in 2024, a remarkable achievement given he is a central midfielder and has the most assists for the team as well. He has scored his 10 goals in just 11 appearances.
The home side dominated during the opening few minutes on Saturday as Brayshaw produced three early shots on target. However, Norths United scored the opener against the run of play after a misplaced pass by Namoi United’s Matt Urquhart fell to an unmarked Jacob Freeman in the 18-yard box, and he made no mistake as he slotted his side’s first shot of the game past Namoi’s goalkeeper Zaac Brayshaw and into the back of the net.
The Armidale men only led for nine minutes before Namoi equalised in the 17th minute of the contest when Nathan Trindall charged onto a free kick that Brayshaw had curled into the box and guided a headed shot into the bottom right corner.
Namoi United created a handful of clear chances up until half-time and they limited Norths to a few wayward shots from distance, but the two sides went into the break level at 1-all.
The home side came out firing and created a few more big chances early in the second stanza, which they were unable to convert.
But their leading goal-scorer stepped up in the 69th minute when he received a pass off his brother Jake Brayshaw just outside the 18-yard box before dribbling past two defenders and firing a strike from the edge of the area that was far too powerful for the Norths keeper and crashed into the back of the net.
That goal made the score 2-1, which was the way it remained when the full-time whistle sounded as Namoi United secured their fourth victory of the season.
It was a win that saw the combined Narrabri/Wee Waa/Moree outfit rise to 14 points as they narrowed the gap between themselves and third-placed North Companions to six points. They also have a game in hand on Northies, who played their round 14 match a week early and drew it 3-all against Inverell.
That match was played on Saturday, July 13, during the washout weekend to allow Inverell the chance to travel to Newcastle on Saturday and contest Northern NSW Football’s 2024 season Community Plate final, which they lost 6-3 against Newcastle Croatia FC.
Other NIPL first grade winners on Saturday were Oxley Vale Attunga, Tamworth FC, and Demon Knights. OVA demolished Hillvue Rovers 8-2, Tamworth FC beat South Armidale United 4-1 and DK accounted for East Armidale United 4-1, while the other match saw top-ranked duo Moore Creek and Armidale City Westside contest a 1-all draw.
The round 14 results saw Moore Creek remain on top of the Southern Conference ladder with 26 points, but they now only lead by for and against difference as OVA joined them on 26. North Companions round out the top three with 20 points, and Tamworth FC (18), Namoi United (14), Hillvue Rovers (10) and South United (7) make up the bottom four.
Armidale City Westside are on top of the Northern Conference ladder with 29 points, and their lead is now just two points after Demon Knights rose to 27 on Saturday to go second. Inverell (24) and now third, and the bottom three is still South Armidale United (15), Norths United (12) and East Armidale United (0).
Namoi United will go in search of a third consecutive win for the first time in the 2024 season this Saturday when they host the Hillvue Rovers at Hogan Oval in round 15.
Meanwhile, Namoi United’s reserve grade side scored their second win of the campaign on Saturday when they accounted for Norths United 2-0. Colby Williams opened the scoring in the third minute and Aden Bridge doubled the home side’s advantage in the 31st minute, and 2-0 was the way it remained at both half-time and full-time.
Namoi United are now on 10 points following two wins and four draws in their 12 reserve grade games.
They ranked sixth on the seven-team ladder and they are 10 points behind third-placed Hillvue Rovers who they must beat on Saturday afternoon at Hogan Oval to keep their own finals hopes alive.
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