Namoi Soccer League club Eleven FC was one of four sides to introduce a reserve grade side to its setup for the 2021 campaign, a development which has boosted both the number of people playing the game in the region as well as team morale at all four of the competition’s clubs.
At the Elevens, there was a mixture of both male and female youth and experience this the season, with some players taking the field for the first time ever this year and lining up alongside several seasoned veterans.
The team went into the 15th and final round of the season last Saturday winless and unable to qualify for the finals, having only accumulated two points in the first 14 rounds following two draws and 12 losses.
However, the Elevens saved their best until last with a remarkable 3-2 home ground victory against Wee Waa United at Hogan Oval.
The hosts trailed 2-0 at the half-time break after Wee Waa scored two goals, both from set pieces, in the opening 35 minutes through Axel Currey and Jake Vella.
But the Elevens were given hope when Sudintha Perera scored his first goal of the season early in the second half when he ran onto a Brent Longworth corner and found the back of the net.
Longworth then scored a goal of his own to lock the score up at 2-all with about 20 minutes left to play.
Suddenly, an Eleven FC side which had only scored two goals in 14 games going into round 15 had locked the score up at 2-all and had found the belief that they could go on and win the match.
And that is exactly what they did.
Longworth scored his second goal of the game to make the score 3-2 with 10 minutes left to play before the hosts defended their line to celebrate their first victory of the season.
Eleven FC club treasurer and second grade player Caine Cunningham told The Courier that he was proud of how far his team had come from the start of the season.
“We were over the moon to get the win,” Cunningham said.
“It’d been a dismal season ‘til then results-wise.
“But it’s been an enjoyable season actually.
“It’s picked up club morale a lot, having a reserve grade team.
“We’ve picked up a few juniors and girls which has made things a bit more family friendly.
“We’ve improved by a mile, especially some of our girls who hadn’t even played soccer before.
“We’ve got a few juniors who started off in reserve grade and made the first grade team too which has been good to see.
“Everyone is keen to come back next year and we are just glad we got a win so we can take that into next season.”
The team was coached by Matt Hayne in 2021 and Ronnie Bower was the side’s captain. Cunningham was full of praise for both men.
“They’ve both done a great job,” Cunningham said.
“Matt especially, he taught a lot of us how to play the game and the rules and different formations which was good.
“Ronnie’s a great captain. He brought good leadership and helped team morale.”
The Elevens finished fourth on the four-team ladder.
First-placed Moree Services FC will contest the grand final at Narrabri’s Hogan Oval and will be joined by the winner of the preliminary final which will see second-placed Narrabri FC challenge third-placed Wee Waa United at Wee Waa’s Cook Oval.
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