Hard work, determination and a positive attitude – they are the three things every coach wants in a player and Jacob Sunderland certainly possesses all three in abundance.
Sunderland made his senior soccer debut midway through the 2019 Namoi Soccer League campaign and has gone from strength to strength in 2020.
The 18-year-old has established himself as an important member of the Sporties FC team, has started several games this season in key positions including centre midfield and left midfield, and has even managed to net three goals this year.
On Saturday he scored his most important goal yet which was the match-winner in the David Jenkins Memorial Cup match.
Sporties FC secured a 1-0 win against local rivals and 2020 clubmates Narrabri Elevens FC in the annual contest played at Hogan Oval.
It was the fourth and final time the two teams met in the 2020 regular season.
Sunderland started the match on the bench and was thrown into the game in the left midfield position 35 minutes into the first half. About 30 seconds after running on the field the youngster put his team in front with his first touch of the game.
The goal was not the flashiest, being a tap in at the back stick, however it was Sunderland’s work off the ball and his vision to get himself in the right place at the right time which paid dividends.
While Sporties FC occupied possession on the right edge Sunderland sensed a cross was coming.
When Cooper Brayshaw ran onto a through ball played by his brother Jake just outside the 18-yard box Sunderland had found space at the back stick and just needed the cross to hit his feet.
In typical Brayshaw style the cross was whipped in perfectly, piercing a narrow gap between goalkeeper Jakeb Nipperess and retreating defender James Albert, and Sunderland made no mistake as he tapped the ball into the goal.
Sporties FC coach Neil Brayshaw was impressed with the run Sunderland made to get into the goal-scoring position and was full of praise for the young midfielder.
“He’s maturing so well,” Brayshaw said.
“He’s so strong on the ball and I have all the faith in the world in him in that left midfield role especially but in other positions too.
“He reads the game really well, the ball can be over on the other side of the field but he knows when to make diagonal runs and that showed with his goal on Saturday.”
Not only was the coach impressed with Sunderland’s performance but so were his teammates. The youngster was the team’s players’ player for round 10 after securing 30 points in the three-two-one voting system, the most any Sporties FC player has earned in a single game this season.
Sunderland’s first half strike was the only goal scored during the memorable match that was played in high spirits in memory of the late David Jenkins, who was once one of the driving forces of soccer in Narrabri.
Two of David’s sons Brady and Riley both played in the match for the Elevens and were both standouts for their team on the day.
While the occasion could not be overshadowed, there was concern at full time for Sporties FC duo Nathan Trindall (ankle) and Jess O’Neil (hamstring) who both suffered potentially season-ending injuries and will now race the clock to be ready for the September 26 grand final.
Sporties FC’s win on Saturday saw it move 13 points clear at the top of the Namoi League table after 10 rounds.
It went into the match 10 points ahead of Wee Waa United FC which lost 5-3 away from home against Moree after leading 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
Sporties FC is now on 25 points while Wee Waa is on 12 points.
Moree’s win saw it move to 10 points and leapfrog the Elevens (nine points) into third on the ladder. Those two teams both have a game in hand on Wee Waa.
There is now two weeks left in the regular season before the finals begin.
This weekend in round 11 Sporties FC is away to Wee Waa United and the Elevens are at home to Moree.
On Sunday the Elevens will travel to Moree to play a round eight catch up game.
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