COUNTRY Western were unable to win the Country Shield, after a 3-all draw against Country Southern, in the final day of the Football NSW Under 14 State Titles on Friday in Orange.
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Country Riverina were able to win their corresponding match against Metro Far North, meaning they won the Country Shield on 10 points ahead of Country Western (six points) and Country Southern (four points).
In Friday’s match Country Western were up 3-2 in the dying minutes when Southern scored a late equaliser to draw the game.
Western’s Mickey Muratovic, from Oberon, once again had another stellar performance scoring two goals, finishing the week with nine goals, becoming equal top goal scorer for the whole tournament.
Logan Watmore, from Dubbo scored Western’s other goal.
Country Western mentor John Rimmer was pleased with the effort shown throughout the week, but lamented not getting full points in yesterday’s match.
“We were up 3-2 with two minutes to go and they (Southern) got the equaliser. We had four near chances but they either came off the crossbar or were well saved by their goalie,” Rimmer said.
“It’s the story of our week really, we missed a few chances in our other matches. The 5-0 win against Metro North was certainly our game of the tournament, it showed what we could do if we converted our opportunities.”
The knee injury suffered by Cole Mutton in Thursday’s game against Riverina has been confirmed as a dislocated knee-cap
“We had feared it had been heavy ligament damage but it has turned out to be a dislocated knee-cap, which will put him out for four to six weeks,” Rimmer said.
“We’ve suffered some knocks and bruises in our eight games this week, the boys seemed a bit fatigued during the game (yesterday).”
Rimmer praised the Riverina side, especially their fitness.
“A lot of them have a background in AFL, which involves a lot of fitness. They seemed much fitter than the competition,” he said.
It has been a mixed week for Country Western in the State Titles, finishing the tournament with a win, three draws and four losses.
Rimmer was proud of the effort shown throughout this week.
“It’s been a great week. I’m proud of the effort put in by the boys. Other than the 8-1 loss (to Metro Far North) they were tight matches and we were right in all of them,” he said.
Metro Far South took out the State Title with seven wins and a draw from their eight matches.
Metro South (19 points) were second followed by Metro West (15), Metro Far North (10), Metro East (10), Country Riverina (10), Metro North (seven), Country Western (six) and Country Southern (four).
