Sporties FC scores Namoi Soccer League grand final win

Narrabri Sporties FC’s 2020 playing group are now Namoi Soccer League premiership players after the side won its first grand final on Saturday at Hogan Oval.

After going down in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 deciders, Sporties FC defeated clubmates Narrabri Elevens FC 2-0 in a hard-fought contest.

The first goal came against the run of play after the Elevens enjoyed the better start.

A through ball was played in behind the Elevens defence for Brenton Cochrane to run onto and although Elevens defender Dylan Thompson was clearly going to get to the ball first, Cochrane kept chasing and created enough pressure to force Thompson to play a backpass to goalkeeper Jakeb Nipperess. The keeper could not get a foot to the ball as it rolled into the back of the net.

The score was 1-0 for most of the match, then with about 10 minutes to go Sporties FC won a penalty.

The side’s standout player across the past two seasons Cooper Brayshaw stepped up and buried the shot into the bottom left corner.

Sporties FC created several chances throughout the match, but it was the side’s defence which won it the premiership.

Centre backs Jake Brayshaw and Matt Hall were solid from start to finish, and everyone that flanked them in the left and right fullback positions as well as goalkeeper and captain Zaac Brayshaw helped contribute to the clean sheet.

Sporties FC coach Neil Brayshaw told The Courier that he was proud of his team’s defensive effort on the day.
“I didn’t think the game was a spectacle,” Brayshaw said.

“It was a hard, ground-out win and we scrambled very good as a team in defence.

“Whenever we lost the ball we worked hard to win it back.

“That’s how we created our first goal, we just kept putting them under pressure.

“At the back our two centre backs Jake [Brayshaw] and Matt Hall were fantastic.

“But it was a whole-hearted team effort.”

Brayshaw said that it was a relief to finally win the grand final after losing three in a row, two of which he was in the coach’s box for.

“I felt more relief at full time then anything else,” he said.

“To win the one that counts after being so dominant for the past four years was just great.

“I’m very proud, I couldn’t speak more highly of the team.

“We’ve had a lot of injury issues over the past few months and had blokes unavailable. One of the highlights for me has been blokes being put in a position they’ve never played before and standing up to the mark.

“I just couldn’t ask any more of the team.”

Brayshaw said that the future looked bright for the 2020 premiers.

“The goal now is to repeat this year’s performance,” he said.

“Hopefully we can be injury-free all next year and go on and go back-to-back.”