Namoi United’s slim Northern Inland Premier League first grade finals hopes were crushed at Hogan Oval on Saturday when they went down 2-1 against the top-ranked Southern Conference team Moore Creek FC.
The combined Narrabri/Wee Waa/Moree side needed to win their final three regular-season matches to place third on the conference ladder, but they fell just short as they suffered the round 19 loss.
Moore Creek opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Benjamin Schieb before Isaac Wilson doubled their lead in the 16th minute.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute of the contest as Dominic Barbara received a straight red card for an accidental studs-up collision with Victor Matuku, and the score remained 2-0 at the half-time break.
Namoi United’s leading goal-scorer Cooper Brayshaw netted his 11th of the year 10 minutes into the second stanza and it was a reward for refusing to give up as he chased down an over-hit through ball and capitalised on a mix-up between Moore Creek’s goalkeeper and a defender to score into an empty net.
The hosts then pushed hard for an equaliser, but the Mountain Goats held on to win 2-1 to go one win away from securing the minor premiership.
Namoi United were scheduled to line up at Hogan Oval again the next day, but their round 15 catch-up game against Hillvue on Sunday did not go ahead after the Rovers forfeited.
Those results saw Namoi finish the weekend on 20 points in fifth place on the Southern Conference ladder, six points behind the third-placed North Companions with just one game left to play.
That match is against Northies in round 20 this Saturday at Hogan Oval as the combined Narrabri/Wee Waa/Moree outfit look to end their first season back in the competition on a high.
They currently have six wins, two draws and nine losses to their name, and six of those nine losses were by one goal.
That is quite impressive considering when Namoi United last played in the competition in 2016, they finished at the bottom of the table following one win, 16 losses and one draw, and they had a goal difference of minus 81 after suffering some huge losses.
Moore Creek are now on 38 points, three clear of Oxley Vale Attunga who beat South United 3-0 in round 19.
OVA have a game in hand on Moore Creek due to a rescheduled washout, but the Mountain Goats will secure the minor premiership if they beat Tamworth FC this Saturday.
If Moore Creek drops points, OVA can claim first place if they win both games in their double header across the weekend.
In the Northern Conference, Inverell will play for the minor premiership on Saturday when they travel to take on East Armidale United. Inverell are currently second after they prevailed 4-0 win against South Armidale United in round 19.
Armidale City Westside beat Norths United 2-1 to remain on top of the table by two points, but they have no more games left to play and now need East Armidale to draw against or beat Inverell on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Namoi United lost 4-1 in reserve grade on Saturday and also won by a forfeit on Sunday. They went above North Companions on for and against difference to end the weekend in fifth place, and now whoever wins between those two sides at Hogan Oval this Saturday will finish fifth.
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