Finals push continues for Namoi United with two double-headers remaining

Namoi United are locked in a three-way battle for third place on the Northern Inland Premier League first grade southern conference ladder with four games remaining across the next two weekends.

The combined Narrabri/Wee Waa/Moree club were in action twice during the weekend as they lined up for their first of three double headers on the run home, and they picked up what could be a crucial point following a draw on Saturday and a close loss on Sunday.

The Namoi men welcomed South United to the Narrabri High School field on Saturday for their round 18 clash and they finished all square at 2-2 against the Tamworth club.

They then travelled to Moree the following day, where they went down 2-0 against defending champions and in-form northern conference ladder leaders Inverell FC in a rescheduled round two clash.

Those results have left Namoi United sitting fourth on the southern conference ladder as the battle for the third finals spot continues to go down to the wire.

First-placed Moore Creek (38) and second-placed Oxley Vale Attunga (33) have the top two spots wrapped up and are battling for the minor premiership, while Tamworth FC (23), Namoi United (22) and Hillvue Rovers (22) are all a chance of securing the other finals spot in the southern conference.

Namoi United have a tough game at home against Moore Creek this Saturday in round 19 while Tamworth FC and Hillvue play against one another, and then Sunday’s game will see the Namoi men welcome Tamworth FC to town for a blockbuster rescheduled round 16 fixture.

It could be a season-defining weekend as the three sides all compete to go into the final weekend in the box seat for third.

Hillvue had a chance to jump above Namoi United and Tamworth FC on Tuesday night when they met South United in a rescheduled round 17 match in Tamworth, but those two sides earned a point each after contesting a 4-all draw. Hillvue came from 4-0 down in that match and grabbed the point with a 90th-minute equaliser.

The Hillvue side also secured an unexpected point on Saturday when they drew 2-all against Moore Creek, while Tamworth FC had a mixed weekend with a 3-0 win over North Companions on Saturday and then a 3-2 loss in a rescheduled round eight game away from home against East Armidale on Sunday.

Saturday’s round 18 match at Narrabri High School remained scoreless until the 34th minute when Justin Kellett fired South United into the lead with a powerful free kick, but Namoi United equalised eight minutes later as Matt Hamblin netted to make the score 1-all at half-time.

The hosts took their first lead of the contest just eight minutes into the second stanza when Connor Hill scored his first goal of the season, but Justin Pendergast netted in the 71st minute for South United and the score remained 2-all at full-time.

In Moree on Sunday, Inverell’s Thomas Putter scored two classy goals inside 23 minutes to put the visitors ahead 2-0, which was the way it remained following a gutsy defensive effort from the home side.

Namoi United’s coach Neil Brayshaw told The Courier he was pleased with the way his players battled all weekend despite not having enough players available for two full teams either day, which meant some players were required to play in three or four games across the two days.

“I’m pretty proud of the club and our players, to be honest,” Brayshaw said.

“We only had 18 players available both days across both grades, so for both days we only had six fresh first graders. I couldn’t ask for much more than what the guys gave. Some blokes played four games over the two days.

“Sunday’s performance was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time from our club. Even though we lost and didn’t score, it was the best defensive game we’ve had in a long time. Inverell scored two cracking goals, and there was just nothing you could do about that, but to hold them to no goals in the second half was great.

“Everyone was on the same page, and after a good discussion at half-time about us trying not to concede again, the guys stood up in defence. It’s tough to shut that side down, but we did.

“All I wanted on Sunday was to keep the goal difference down, and we did that. We didn’t have many shots on goal, but we attacked a few times and we held the ball really well when we had it.

“On Saturday, I was pleased in the end that we got the point. We showed fighting qualities after being behind 1-0 in the first half.

“When we were up 2-1, they were pressing pretty hard, and they got it back to 2-2 off our mistake, which was no one’s fault really.

“To keep that game to 2-2 with only six fresh first graders shows we’re not gone and we will keep pushing for third.”

Both of Namoi United’s games this weekend are home fixtures, and the club is hopeful that both will take place at Narrabri High School, rather than Hogan Oval.