TAMWORTH FC have ended Oxley Vale Attunga's Premier League finals hopes with a 2-0 victory at Scully Park on Saturday evening.
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The Mushies needed a win or a draw to secure a fourth-place finish and a place in the finals.
However, the loss sees OVA slide into fifth and gives North Companions a finals berth.
For Tamworth FC, the victory sees the minor premiers head into the finals full of momentum and confidence they can retain the Premier League title.
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FC coach Greg Bartlett said while Saturday's win was pleasing, it was soured by an injury to key defender Sam Williams.
"Sam had predominantly played reserve grade for us last year and worked his guts out to be a regular first grade starter this year," Bartlett told the Leader.
"However, with about five minutes to go in the game, Sam broke his arm quite badly and will require surgery.
"It was a real shame because he had worked so hard and was probably playing his best game for the season."
FC had entered into Saturday's game without several of their key players due to yellow card concerns.
However, Bartlett said 16-year-old debutantes Ngyuen Ngyuen and Tristan Reed "stepped up" for the side.
"Those two boys were fantastic for us, especially since they had both played about 60 minutes in reserve grade before playing firsts," he said.
"They both made a great impact, in fact Ngyuen scored one of our two goals.
"Ngyuen was so excited to kick a goal on debut, he had a smile on his face like a split water melon.
"I think it shows that our club's future is in good hands."
Saturday's first grade victory capped off a big day for FC, with all but their under-16 and women's teams scoring a win.
"We had said at the start of the year that this season was not about just first grade, but a complete club effort," Bartlett said.
"It was important for us to ensure that we had as many teams as possible be successful this season. Luckily for us, reserve grade's 3-0 win gave them a finals berth as well.
"All up yesterday [Saturday] was a really good day for our club."
Bartlett said he started thinking about next week's final against North Armidale directly after Saturday's win.
"Next week's game will be a different kettle of fish because we will have quite a few guys back," he said.
"We will have to find a new right fullback to replace Sam Williams, so we will have to work that out, but who knows we might stick with our younger guys.
"Bottom line, we are ready finals and are looking forward to the challenge."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
