AS time ticked away in Saturday's Premier League grand final many people were wondering if a hero would come forward to win the game for their side.
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The score was locked at 1-1 and a grand final moment for the ages beckoned for a player from either Tamworth FC or North Armidale to step up and etch their name in history.
FC defender Troy Hearfield answered the call and calmly converted a free kick from long range to give his side a win deep into injury time.
Mere seconds later, the referee blew the full-time whistle to confirm FC had claimed a last-gasp victory.
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Hearfield said he was always confident his side could find a way back into the game.
"We were down 1-0 at half-time, but I think we were all pretty confident we could turn it around," Hearfield told the Leader.
"I back the boys, we never lay down and to score the goal to get us over the line is pretty special."
The long-time defender said Saturday's victory was reward for effort for his club.
"To be honest, I think we dominated the game," he said.
"North Armidale are quite dangerous on the counter attack and caught us out a few times. However, I knew we would eventually get ourselves back in it and score a winner.
"While it is good for me to score, it is all about the team, and I couldn't be prouder of the boys. "
Hearfield said winning back-to-back titles was "a special moment for the club". "To go back-to-back the way we did is really something else," he said.
"We've copped a lot this year, and this win is a credit to the coaching staff, the hard work of the boys and everyone involved with our club."
FC coach Greg Bartlett described Hearfield as "a special player".
"Troy is a super-consistent player for us and a real leader around the group," Bartlett said.
"I was really pleased he was the one to kick that goal because he thoroughly deserves it."
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.
