Elevens put one past Narrabri FC but the ladder leaders remain undefeated

Narrabri Eleven FC became the first team to score a goal against Narrabri FC’s reserve grade side on Saturday, but it was Darren Moodie’s team that won the derby at Hogan Oval in round eight of the Namoi Premier League season.

Narrabri FC went into the weekend having won all seven games this year, a combined 26-0.

It got through the first half with that brilliant defensive record intact as it led 2-0 at the half-time break after Bailey Campbell and Callum Wales hit the back of the net in the opening 40 minutes.

Campbell fired in the first goal of the second stanza to make the score 3-0, but the Elevens hit back when Matt Buttsworth became the first player to score against his side’s local rivals.

Wales then restored Narrabri FC’s three-goal lead and the 4-1 scoreline was how it remained when the full-time whistle sounded.

Elevens coach Tim Hayne thought his side was the better of the two on the day and said he was impressed with the way his side was developing.

“We managed to do it again, look the better side and not win,” Hayne said after the match.

“We challenged them well, we were tougher than they were, our passes found feet and shape looked really good.

“This side continues to develop, and the more we play together, the better we look. Stealing a goal from the top defensive side is a big step in the right direction.

“We had a massive amount of positive chat after the game about the direction we want to go in, and that shows our want from a large group of us, if not all of us.

“It’s refreshing as a coach to hear those positive suggestions, and I look forward to the next time we meet Narrabri FC.”

The other Namoi Premier League reserve grade game on Saturday was won by Moree Services FC, which scored a 5-0 victory away from home against Wee Waa United FC at Cook Oval.

Todd Jones and Adam Ha scored in the first half to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break, and Sam Adams, Steve Pinner and Aden Bridge netted a goal each in the second half to make the final score 5-0.

Narrabri FC is first after eight rounds on a maximum 24 points and Moree maintained the pace with the ladder leaders as it moved to 15 points.

Third-placed Wee Waa remained on seven points and the Elevens are still last on one point.

In round nine, Narrabri FC hosts Wee Waa United FC at Hogan Oval on Saturday, and then Narrabri Eleven FC travels to Moree on Sunday.