Back-to-back wins for Gunnedah third grade soccer team

Gunnedah’s third grade soccer team recorded its second win on the trot while the fourth graders salvaged a draw at the Gipps Street Sporting Complex in last Friday’s round of the Tamworth competition.

The fourths began the night with a 3-all result against the Quirindi Vikings, before the thirds defeated Moore Creek Orange 1-0.

Following three wins from as many rounds, the fourths encountered their toughest opponent yet but managed to keep their undefeated season intact.

In an entertaining game, the scoring went back-and-forth as each goal to Quirindi was followed by a goal to Gunnedah.

The Vikings led 3-2 at half-time before Gunnedah levelled in the first 10 minutes of the second half, and amazingly there were no goals in the final 40 minutes following six in the first 50.

Hanyuen Vilanculos, Pete Thurbon and Jacobi Morris were Gunnedah’s scorers.

It was memorable for the father-and-son combination of Josh and Byron Jolliffe to play, while Gunnedah also fielded two female players.

Chloe McInerney made her debut at this level, while it was Amber Burns’s second appearance.

Despite missing some experienced personnel due to injury, the third graders regrouped while Jesse Swain made a welcome return after injuring his hand in round one.

Swain and teammate Mitch Harding formed a strong midfield, while a solid backline thwarted Moore Creek Orange’s attempts to score.

Harding scored the lone goal from a penalty for a handball with about 20 minutes left, before Gunnedah hung on nervously in the final 15 minutes without having any interchange players available.

Gunnedah goalkeeper and manager Richard Grant said the third graders had their backs to the wall while the youthful squad “grafted and toughed it out”.

“It was very pleasing and you could see the excitement,” he said.

With the second successive victory following back-to-back defeats, Grant said “I think the confidence is back now”.

“It would be nice to score a few more goals, but I think they’ll come,” he said.

“I think we’re warming to the task.”