Narrabri FC books spots in the 2022 Namoi Soccer League grand finals

Local soccer club Narrabri FC will travel to Inverell on Saturday for a shot at the Namoi Soccer League’s 2022 campaign first and reserve grade premierships following two tight wins in slippery and muddy conditions at Gately Field at the weekend.

Narrabri FC hosted Wee Waa United in the preliminary finals of both divisions on Saturday.

The games were scheduled to be played at Hogan Oval but were both relocated to the home of Narrabri Junior Soccer Club after the senior club’s home ground was washed out.

Narrabri FC prevailed 1-0 in the reserve grade game and then 2-0 in the first grade contest to book a showdown with minor premiers Inverell FC in the deciders of both divisions.

The Narrabri sides had travelled to Inverell a week earlier, where they went down 1-0 in the reserve grade major semi-final and 2-1 in the first grade major semi-final.

While that first grade loss cost them a chance to host the grand finals at home, the Narrabri men now have their sights set firmly on defending the premiership that they won in 2020 with a 2-0 grand final win against Narrabri Eleven FC.

Saturday’s conditions were wet and muddy as rain fell in Narrabri, and the field’s grass was chopped up under the duress of boot studs and sliding bodies. While that made things difficult for both clubs, they managed to produce two entertaining games.

Narrabri FC first grade co-captain Cooper Brayshaw was one of his side’s standouts in the knockout match as he produced an impressive 90-minute performance in both attack and defence.

The centre midfielder told The Courier that he was proud of his teammates, and he added that he could not wait for this Saturday’s decider.

“I’m very proud of the boys’ performance on such a wet and sloppy day,” he said.

“Everyone put in for one another, and the passion and heart were there for us.

“The backs did an awesome job like always, and same with the midfield and forwards who also did a brilliant job putting away some hard goals in tough conditions.

“Next weekend cannot come quick enough. I’m ready, the boys are ready, game on.

“I would also like to congratulate Wee Waa on such a successful year for them.”

Narrabri FC netted its first goal in the 11th minute of Saturday’s first grade preliminary final match when Zac Stait found Jake Brayshaw with a chipped cross, and the striker volleyed a powerful strike into the bottom left corner from the penalty spot.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 36th minute when skipper Cooper Brayshaw found the same corner with a powerful shot from just outside the 18-yard box after receiving a short pass from teammate Blake Jarrett, who squared up a free kick to Brayshaw which caught the visitors off guard.

Earlier in the day, a Matt Edmonds strike 30 seconds into the reserve grade contest was the difference as Narrabri FC secured a 1-0 victory.

The club’s reserve grade leading goal-scorer got onto the end of a Tynan Williams cross and headed home to open the scoring, and while both sides pushed hard for the game’s second goal, it never came.

Brayshaw said he enjoyed watching the club’s reserve grade team get the job done on the day.

“I was proud to sit back and watch all the younger boys do their business in reserve grade,” he said.

“The effort those boys put in every match for one another is phenomenal, and they should be proud of how far they have got.”