Brayshaw declares minor premiership is still Narrabri FC’s to lose after slipping to second

Narrabri FC’s first grade coach Neil Brayshaw declared the 2023 Namoi Premier League minor premiership is still his side’s to lose despite dropping to second following a 3-1 defeat at Hogan Oval against Wee Waa United in round 12 on Saturday.

Back-to-back losses in the past two rounds have seen the Narrabri side’s five-point lead at the top of the ladder quickly become a one-point deficit as the defending champions Inverell scored a 3-1 away win against Moree Services FC on Saturday to move to 25 points. A week earlier, the Inverell men defeated Narrabri FC 7-2.

Narrabri FC is still on 24 points following its loss against Wee Waa but remains confident of finishing on top come the season’s end.

There are three rounds left in the regular season, and if Narrabri FC can win all three games, it is guaranteed to claim the minor premiership.

Even if they do drop points, they can still finish on top depending on other results.

“We’ve got to win now. If we want to finish in the top two and even on top, we’ve got to win,” Brayshaw said.

“The minor premiership is in our hands. If we win our last three games, we’re minor premiers. Other results don’t come into it if we just win all three games.”

An 11th-minute goal put Wee Waa United ahead on Saturday after Matt Hamblin played a ball in behind the Narrabri FC defence for Ben Cooper to run onto and the captain-coach made no mistake with his one-on-one shot across Narrabri FC’s captain and goalkeeper Zaac Brayshaw into the bottom left corner.

The visitors took that lead into the half-time break and they doubled their advantage 23 minutes into the second stanza when Cooper scored a superb free kick which he dipped over the wall and just under the crossbar.

Wee Waa made the score 3-0 in the 78th minute when Juan Pablo Balbi rose highest to head home a Nathan Hamblin corner kick into the bottom left corner.

Narrabri FC pulled one back four minutes from full-time when Rhys Hayne played a sensational through ball in behind the Wee Waa defence for Colby Williams to run onto and the striker made no mistake with his one-on-one strike, which he slotted past Wee Waa United keeper Steve Phelps.

However, it was too little, too late for the home side as Wee Waa secured a 3-1 victory.

Neil Brayshaw thought that his side played well in patches but was again punished for its mistakes, as has been the case throughout the season.

However, he did not believe the scoreline was a true reflection of the contest.

“The boys warmed up well, and then early in the game, we played some excellent football,” Brayshaw said.

“We moved the ball around well and there weren’t many mistakes. But a silly pass instead of an easy option allowed them to get behind us for a one-on-one shot and we were behind 1-0.

“I thought we played some good football during the whole game, but again, our mistakes are letting us down and allowing other teams to score.

“But I don’t think 3-1 does any real justice for the way we played.

“We changed our formation with a few players out to a 4-4-2, and we went back to our 3-5-2 later in the game and we scored after that. It was a nice play from Rhys (Hayne) and Colby (Williams) and a nice finish from Colby.”

The return of centre-back Nathan Trindall from suspension for this Saturday’s home clash against Moree will provide a significant boost for the Narrabri side, as will the return of leading goal-scorers Connor Hill and Cooper Brayshaw from holidays the following weekend when Narrabri FC challenges Inverell in a top-of-the-table round 14 match.

Izaac Jeffries will also return from an ankle injury in one of those games to help Trindall shore up a backline that has leaked 10 goals in the past two games.

Narrabri FC’s first grade coach said that Trindall’s return would be a quite significant one.

“It’ll help our structure a lot, but it’s his presence and communication that will help us the most,” Brayshaw said.

“He’s got a big loud voice, and our communication is what has been lacking recently, it’s been breaking down. That’s one big thing he will help.

“He’ll direct the side around.”

Narrabri FC was also boosted by the return of Vincent Labonte from a hamstring injury on Saturday as the versatile veteran slotted into centre-back alongside Adam Pryor. He was labelled a standout for the home side by his coach.

“For a bloke that hasn’t played since round one, I couldn’t have asked for more,” Brayshaw said.

“His touch, his presence, the way he interpreted play and shut plays down were just great.

“I’m hoping he can be available every week now.”

Wee Waa is now five points behind Narrabri FC on 19 points in third place and will travel to Inverell this Saturday to challenge the side it has not yet beaten this season or last.

Ben Cooper’s team will need to win to keep its top-two hopes alive.

The Wee Waa United captain-coach was pleased with the away side’s effort and overall performance in round 12.

“We played quite well. Attacking-wise, we played some really good football,” Cooper said.

“It was a comfortable win in the end.

“We attacked really well and we were dangerous with good support play and one-twos.

“We didn’t create a lot of chances really, but it was nice to take the ones we did.

“Once we got the third goal it was pretty comfortable and the guys were very confident.

“I think we did switch off there for a second and gave them an easier goal than we would’ve liked to. Their goal was just like most weeks for us. We just switched off at the back and their guy managed to break through. It was an easy goal to concede really. But otherwise, we didn’t let them have many chances.

“It was a very important win for us.

“I think, more than anything, every result now will give us a little ego boost for the end of the season.

“Regardless of where we finish on the table, it’s important to finish strong so we’ve got that confidence going into the finals.”

Moree is still last on three points after another brave effort on home soil on Saturday.

Inverell scored first at the Moree Services Field through Andrew Saru, but the hosts hit back through Todd Jones to make the half-time score 1-all.

However, the 2022 season golden boot winner Saru scored another goal in the second half, as did teammate Jeff Karakai, as Inverell ran away with a 3-1 win to go top of the table.

In reserve grade, the top two sides both scored big wins to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom two.

Top-ranked Narrabri FC beat Wee Waa United 4-0 at Hogan Oval after Bailey Campbell bagged a double and his teammate Cody Shepherdson scored as well to go with a Wee Waa own goal.

In Moree, the hosts were trailing Narrabri Eleven FC 1-0 at half-time but came back to win 5-2.

An Andrew Carling strike had the Elevens ahead at the break, but then Darrell Smith, Thomas Sparke, Todd Jones, Connor Williams and Kobe Russell all struck in the second half for Moree, as did Narrabri Elevens’ Tashanny Clark.

Narrabri FC will now host Moree at Hogan Oval in both grades in round 13 this Saturday, and Wee Waa travels to Inverell in first grade. Wee Waa will take on the Elevens in reserve grade, but the details of that match are yet to be confirmed.