An incredible weekend for Bangalow FC had many highlights, with six teams contesting their respective grand finals, and six out of six raising the trophies. But it doesn’t end there, as another four teams will go round this coming week with the 4th Division girls on Thursday, Prem girls on Friday, and now, the 1st Division Men join their 2nd Division mates at the Oake’s Oval finale on Saturday, after disposing of Burringbar.
Putting our last meeting behind us, we needed to lift in this tough encounter, as the Bandit’s game never lets you relax for a moment, and in very warm conditions, it was not going to be easy. Disappointingly, big Josh McInerney succumbed to a virus, and was unavailable, and, with a few other niggling problems in our ranks, we certainly weren’t going into the game fully fit. Still, we knew if we supported each other, and kept our focus, we had the team to progress.
The game began much as expected, as both teams set a furious pace that went from end to end, and, although with the heat, our game plan was to control the ball and dictate the middle of the park, it wasn’t to be. The Bandit’s, being ultra competitive in the centre, made life tough for Leo and Dustin. The heat eventually got to Smithy, himself not a 100%, and young gun Mitch went to the right flank, where he began his usual surging runs into opposition territory, but couldn’t quite link up with either Taha or Marco in the final third. Finally the half time break came with the game scoreless, and it was a relief to get into the shade to rehydrate and gather ourselves for the second period.
A slight reshuffle moved Samwell forward in the midfield to try to link up with the strikers, as Leo was beginning to feel the pinch after also being sick during the week. He was replaced soon after, and Sam Mamone entered the game at fullback, and Glaz moved to the middle with Dustin. Marco and Taha worked the house down up front with little reward, and kept the pressure on the Bandit’s defense as much as humanly possible, and there was a sense that the Bandits were just starting to fall of slightly. With about twenty minutes to play, and still no goals, Leo reenterred the game after fuelling up on fluids and a few Mars Bars, Glaz went back to fullback with Sam Mamone to the bench with an ankle problem. A scare saw a goal to Burringabr disallowed with an offside decision. Matt and Carlos had swapped roles with each other as Matt struggled to get his heavy legs up and down the left flank, but Carlos seemed to have more running left, and began putting himself further up the pitch.
Ten minutes to play, Dustin tiring, Ricky almost spent, others hurting, and now Glaz is replaced by Shep after copping a ball in the eye. Then the break through… a great ball from Dustin finds the flying Carlos clear on the edge of the box, and he finishes superbly with a clinical right foot strike beyond the keeper. Relief, and an injection of adrenalin to finish the job. And although it seemed an eternity, the full time whistle blew and the contest was over.
It was a gutsy performance all round, and we’re Grand Final bound, but we know Lennox Head will be ready for us this game after the hammering we dished out in our last encounter. Whatever the result, I’m very proud of the efforts of both 2nd and 1st’s teams, and indeed, the whole club with our amazing achievements this year. So let’s finish it off the best way possible. Good luck to the four teams left.
Go the Dogs!
In sport, Shep.