Gunnedah’s fourth grade soccer team maintained its unbeaten start to the Tamworth competition while victory remained elusive for the third graders, as the two teams lined up at the Tamworth-based Gipps Street Sporting Complex last Friday night.
The fourths downed North Companions 2-1, while the thirds were on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline against Quirindi.
Following their 5-2 win in their season-opening contest, the fourths had the upper hand last Friday while most of their opponents were older and physically bigger.
Several of Gunnedah’s players ranged from 15 to 17 years of age, while the more experienced Welington Sardinha led them around the park.
A goal each to Hayden Vilanculos and Michael Kleinschafer helped Gunnedah to a 2-0 half-time lead, before a goal to North Companions set up a nervous final 10 minutes.
Gunnedah held on to make it two from two to start the season; Gunnedah manager Richard Grant saying the fourth graders “continued on their merry way”.
“We punched above our weight, dug in and created some opportunities,” he said.
In third grade, Sardinha joined the team following an injury to Matt Davis early in the match.
This game was a special occasion for Grant as he played in the same team as his son Jimmy for the first time.
“I never expected it,” the senior Grant said afterwards.
Gunnedah dominated the early stages but couldn’t find the back of the net, before Quirindi scored from a header.
Gunnedah’s Mitch Harding produced an equaliser, only for Quirindi to quickly regain a one-goal lead which remained intact at half-time.
Another goal from a header took Quirindi to a 3-1 lead, before Mitch Harding converted a penalty to make it 3-2.
Gunnedah searched for another equaliser but it was not forthcoming, and then a late goal to Quirindi sealed the deal.
Richard Grant said “we’re not doing a lot wrong” while he also gave credit to Quirindi.
Gunnedah’s teams will return to the same venue this Friday for their third fixtures of the season.
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