ORANGE Waratahs wrapped up the 2012 Western Premier League reserve grade minor premiership with a hard fought 1-0 win over Barnstoneworth yesterday.
Played at Waratahs Sportsground, the home side scored the game’s only goal in the first half, with Justin Splithoff heading home a corner at the 35-minute mark to give his side the one-goal advantage they held on to for the duration of the contest.
The win, Waratahs’ ninth for the season, wraps up the competition’s minor prize.
Coach Brad Apps said his side had found its groove since suffering its first defeat of 2012 three weeks ago against Dubbo FC.
He said the 1-0 loss back in round 10 was a timely one for Waratahs.
“Definitely. After that we went back to scratch and re-assessed out game plan and we’re aiming to peak for the finals now,” Apps said.
“It was an arm wrestle (against Barnstoneworth). Although we had a lot of the ball we just couldn’t convert our chances.”
There’s just two rounds before the soccer season kicks into semi-final mode.
Waratahs travel to Dubbo to tackle Westside Panthers in the penultimate round of the minor premiership this weekend before hosting another tough opponent in Dubbo FC to wrap up the regular season.
Apps believes both games will be tough but was solely focused on the week ahead.
“It’s always tough up there (against Westside in Dubbo). It’s like playing Dubbo FC, it doesn’t matter how they’re travelling they’re always tough,” he said.
“We’re just aiming to play a short game, not play our passes too long. Just quick one-two passes.”
ORANGE WARATAHS 1 (Justin Splithoff) def BARNSTONEWORTH 0.
