The Charles Bickersteth-coached side has been in top form this year, defeating McCarthy and Farrer 9-1 and 9-nil respectively in the opening two rounds of the knockout before pipping Oxley High 4-3 to gain a berth in the regional final against Ben Venue for the second year straight.

Ben Venue scored first in the final and took the lead into halftime and almost all the way before Carinya found the back of the net with ten minutes remaining in regular time to force the golden goal.

Neither side could break the other’s defences in the first period of extra time although shortly into the second, Jack Young found the ball at his feet inside the box and slotted one past the keeper to claim the title and move into the inter-regional final.

Once again the team will know their enemy when they travel to Lismore on July 25 to take on North Coast champions Trinity College, who beat them at this same stage last year 4-nil.

“We have been playing really well as a team this year,” Bickersteth said.

“Our defence is strong and   our middle has been setting the strikers up well.”

“We play simple and play to our feet.” 

The Carinya side has the benefit of having well-set combinations this year, with many of the Under 15 side playing local soccer together, as well as a few extra training runs as a team.

Last year was the furthest that any Carinya side has made it through the statewide Bill Turner Trophy and, after copping that loss to Trinity last year, are keen to go at least one step further and avenge last year’s loss, which a few of the current crop also played in.

“The boys have done really well to get this far again,” Bickersteth said.

“But we do have a score to settle as well.”