Soccer teams share the points

Gunnedah’s third and fourth grade soccer teams salvaged drawn results in last Friday’s round at the Tamworth-based Gipps Street Sporting Complex, while both teams were well below full strength.

The fourths drew North Companions 1-all, before the thirds drew the Hillvue Rovers 2-all.

Norths opened the scoring with a goal against the run of play around the 30-minute mark, before Gunnedah equalised in the second half.

Gunnedah’s youthful contingent had a tough battle against larger and more physical opponents, but the youngsters were by no means overawed.

Gunnedah’s manager Richard Grant said there was “a lot of heart and ticker in the performance”, while the team overcame the loss of Welington Sardinha at half-time with an ankle injury.

Grant said Gunnedah wouldn’t use injuries as an excuse, although they certainly made a difference.

Gunnedah maintained third place while Norths remained fourth on the six-team ladder, with Grant saying Norths was “probably a bit more desperate for the points” while both teams probably felt they could’ve won.

“You can only get better as the season progresses, and I think we will,” he said.

Grant said Mick Kleinschafer was outstanding in both games, until fatigue took its toll in the third grade contest.

The first two goals came from penalty shots, with Lachlan Mood opening the scoring for Hillvue before Mitch Harding drew level for Gunnedah.

Hillvue regained the lead in the second half before Gunnedah again produced an equaliser, this time as Hayden Sawyer found the back of the net.

Gunnedah looked more likely to break the deadlock in the final 15 minutes, but a winning goal didn’t eventuate.

Gunnedah finished the round in equal-fifth place on the third grade ladder, with Hillvue outright third.