North Companions FC’s reserve graders ensured they would be a tough act to follow after they came away with a 2-0 win over Demon Knights in the reserve grade decider.
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The opening victory gave the chance for the club to repeat its 2007 effort and first grade duly saluted to hand Companions both titles on the day.
Northies’ reserve grade win took plenty of effort in an absorbing clash.
It took 68 minutes for a goal to be scored after some spectacular saves from both goalkeepers.
DK’s Luke Birmingham pulled out a couple of pearlers in the first half.
“He really did keep them in the game in the first half,” Companions coach Gavin Thompson said of the effort.
While Companions’ Jarrod Whitehouse ensured the stalemate continued at the start of the second half when he kept the first chance of the half – a sizzling strike from Aiden Herbert – out.
The first goal came heaped with a slice of luck as the wind played a part.
“It was a cross but we'll take it,” Thompson said of the goal.
The Beau Huntriss cross didn’t hit its intended target but it went one better as it floated into the top left corner.
The intensity of the match went up a notch after the goal as Demon Knights had a chance almost instantly but were unable to land the equaliser.
With the game opening up, Companions doubled their lead seven minutes from full-time.
A through ball found Jordan Balcombe who had just the keeper to beat.
He did just that to all but seal the win.
“It’s fantastic, it's what you work for,” Thompson said.
“We knew it was going to be tough and it was certainly that and everything else.
“It was a real tough wind to play in, tough conditions, and to go in nil-all at half-time when we had a very strong wind behind us, it was a bit concerning.
“But I’ve always been a believer that good football sides play better against the wind and I think we showed that in the second half.”
While Thompson said he didn’t like singling out players, the coach couldn’t help but praise a group who all had big games.
“You don’t like to pick them out in a grand final but a couple of the old guys [had exceptional games],” he said.
“Mick McGufficke, Andrew Beer played huge games and Nick O’Neill and Scotty Beaton in the centre of defence were excellent.”
The shutout win capped off a stunning defensive year for North Companions.
They only let in 15 goals all year and didn’t have a goal scored against them from their last five games.