Quirindi FC have brushed aside the ghosts of grand finals past to claim the Tamworth District Football first grade title.
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Quirindi clashed with minor premiers Gunnedah FC – who were also the last team to beat Quirindi in a grand final back in 2016 – and came away with a 3-1 victory on Saturday at Scully Park.
There wasn’t many people happier than QFC coach Steve Sharp after the win.
“It was awesome. Absolutely awesome. Not just for me but for the club and our supporters, too, and the boys,” Sharp said.
“That was out fourth attempt [in a grand final] and to get revenge on Gunny, it’s sweet for us but I know it’s not great for them.
“From our club’s point of view, it’s awesome.”
Fifteen minutes into the clash, Quirindi made the most of some early pressure when a Brodie King cross found a flying Chris Saunders who headed the ball home.
Gunnedah made sure the crowd would be in for a thrilling second half when they hit back at the 30-minute mark.
From a corner, the ball was knocked out of the pack and found captain Matt Williams.
He drilled a shot with his left foot to equalise and the score remained 1-all at the break.
Gunnedah FC had a couple early chances in the second half before Quirindi took the lead in the 51st minute from a corner kick. Toby Allen headed home the goal.
Quirindi sealed the win with eight minutes on the clock through Brodie King.
While Sharp was glad his team was able to find the back of the net, both Sharp and opposing coach Andy Cygan thought there could have been more goals.
“That first half we wasted probably a good three or four chances and there were a couple in the second half we could have buried but that was probably Gunnedah defending as well as they have all year and putting pressure on us, too,” Sharp said.
Cygan added: “To be honest, if it wasn’t for our keeper [Kameron Manks] it could have been six, seven to one. We didn’t create much and they wanted it more than us.”
While the loss hurts, Gunnedah FC’s form over the past three years has been impressive.
Along with three minor premierships, the team has also claimed a major crown.
And Cygan said there’s no reason why FC’s success couldn’t continue.
“We’ll have a good crack again next year,” he said.
“There’s five or six good 15-16-year-olds coming through. If we stick together we’ll be here again.”
In the Tamworth District Football reserve grade match, North Companions scored a 2-1 victory over Oxley Vale Attunga.
