Narrabri Junior Soccer season gets underway at Gately Field

Narrabri Junior Soccer’s 2020 season got underway at Gately Field on Saturday morning as more than 270 children aged five-17-years-old laced up the boots once again.

The season was scheduled to start back in May but round one was delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee has worked hard in recent months to ensure that junior soccer could return in a COVID-safe environment.

President Danny Laws told The Courier that everything ran smoothly on the day, there were no dramas, and it was great to see so many junior soccer players back on the field.

He also thanked the Narrabri Shire community, especially the committee, parents and volunteers, for supporting Narrabri Junior Soccer in such unpredictable times.

This year the oldest age group has changed from 14-18-years to 13-17-years.

Two 13-17-years games were played on Saturday which saw Santos down Wee Waa United FC 6-3, and CSD defeat Dr Cino 3-1.

Wee Waa United FC’s Axel Currey fires a shot as Santos’ goalkeeper Lucas O’Regan prepares to make a save. Wee Waa United FC’s Axel Currey fires a shot as Santos’ goalkeeper Lucas O’Regan prepares to make a save.

Dr Cino’s Imogen Conomos runs the ball forward as CSD’s Josh Went gives chase. Dr Cino’s Imogen Conomos runs the ball forward as CSD’s Josh Went gives chase.

WWUFC’s Matilda Currey and Santos’ Elsie Ford battle for possession. WWUFC’s Matilda Currey and Santos’ Elsie Ford battle for possession.

Dr Cino’s Will Ryan runs the ball down the left wing as CSD’s Rhys Bower tries to chase him down. Dr Cino’s Will Ryan runs the ball down the left wing as CSD’s Rhys Bower tries to chase him down.

WWUFC’s Bella Cruickshank turns towards goal as Santos’ Holly Ford chases back. WWUFC’s Bella Cruickshank turns towards goal as Santos’ Holly Ford chases back.

CSD goal scorer Grace Hardy races towards goal late in the game. CSD goal scorer Grace Hardy races towards goal late in the game.

WWUFC’s Michael Horne runs the ball out of his half as Santos’ Jack McCahon chases back. WWUFC’s Michael Horne runs the ball out of his half as Santos’ Jack McCahon chases back.

Santos’ Jack McCahon runs the ball forward as WWUFC’s Hayden Shearin gives chase. Santos’ Jack McCahon runs the ball forward as WWUFC’s Hayden Shearin gives chase.

Santos’ Andrea Brown stays goal side of WWUFC’s Brock Radburn. Santos’ Andrea Brown stays goal side of WWUFC’s Brock Radburn.

CSD’s Patrick Lindsay chases down Dr Cino’s Tom Ryan. CSD’s Patrick Lindsay chases down Dr Cino’s Tom Ryan.

WWUFC’s Thomas Eldridge attempts to tackle Santos’ Marlin Ryman. WWUFC’s Thomas Eldridge attempts to tackle Santos’ Marlin Ryman.

Dr Cino’s Taylor Gordon keeps the ball from CSD’s Lachie Eather. Dr Cino’s Taylor Gordon keeps the ball from CSD’s Lachie Eather.

WWUFC’s Teneika Cochrane plays a pass down the right wing. WWUFC’s Teneika Cochrane plays a pass down the right wing.

Santos’ Holly Ford passes the ball upfield to a teammate. Santos’ Holly Ford passes the ball upfield to a teammate.

Dr Cino’s Meckenzie Gordon searches for a way around CSD’s Riley Longworth. Dr Cino’s Meckenzie Gordon searches for a way around CSD’s Riley Longworth.

Caitlyn Coutts-Smith races in to tackle Santos’ Zac Stait. Caitlyn Coutts-Smith races in to tackle Santos’ Zac Stait.

Dr Cino’s Noah Teer races in to tackle CSD’s Riley Sampson as he runs the ball down the left wing. Dr Cino’s Noah Teer races in to tackle CSD’s Riley Sampson as he runs the ball down the left wing.

WWUFC’s Hayden Shearin cuts inside between Santos duo Marlin Ryman and Zac Stait. WWUFC’s Hayden Shearin cuts inside between Santos duo Marlin Ryman and Zac Stait.

CSD’s Riley Longworth sends the ball into the box from a corner. CSD’s Riley Longworth sends the ball into the box from a corner.

WWUFC’s Matilda Currey races in to tackle Santos’ Miles Campbell. WWUFC’s Matilda Currey races in to tackle Santos’ Miles Campbell.

CSD’s Lachie Eather and Dr Cino’s Cody Shepherdson challenge for the ball. CSD’s Lachie Eather and Dr Cino’s Cody Shepherdson challenge for the ball.

WWUFC’s Alisha Conomos searches for a teammate to pass to. WWUFC’s Alisha Conomos searches for a teammate to pass to.

WWUFC’S Brock Radburn passes upfield to a teammate. WWUFC’S Brock Radburn passes upfield to a teammate.

Santos’ Zac Stait charges towards goal. Santos’ Zac Stait charges towards goal.

WWUFC’s Amelia Kiem chases Santos’ Elsie Ford as she runs the ball out of her half. WWUFC’s Amelia Kiem chases Santos’ Elsie Ford as she runs the ball out of her half.

CSD’s Riley Longworth sends the ball into the box from a corner. CSD’s Riley Longworth sends the ball into the box from a corner.

In the first game of the day, Santos took a 1-0 lead in first minute through Zac Stait before teammate Miles Campbell netted a quickfire double which made the score 3-0 midway through the half.

Wee Waa’s Axel Currey then bagged a double of his own to make the score 3-2.

Ten minutes before half time Zac Stait scored his second which made the score 4-2.

Just before half time that became 5-2 following a Jye Anderson goal which was scored on the back of some brilliant build up play in the midfield by Elsie Ford.

Wee Waa struck first in the second half through Brock Radburn which made the score 5-3.

But late in the game Zac Stait completed his hat-trick to make the final score 6-3

In the other 13-17-years game CSD downed Dr Cino 3-1.

CSD’s Riley Emmerson scored the only goal in the first half which gave his team a 1-0 lead.

In the second half Dr Cino equalised when Will Ryan netted with 13 minutes to go to make the score 1-1.

Five minutes later CSD regained its lead when Riley Longworth scored with a brilliant individual effort which saw him run onto a through ball, beat two defenders and curl a brilliant strike into the bottom left hand corner with a shot from outside the box.

With two minutes remaining Grace Hardy netted CSD’s third and final goal.