THE weather was the winner in the latest round of games in the Orange District Football Association over-35 competition.
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While some junior games were called off due to the weekend’s rain, all teams in the over-35 competition dug deep against the mud as well as each other to grind out a result.
Playing in steady rain on Sunday, competition leaders Brighouse opened the scoring in their match against Denley when a Hayden Trott cross from the sidelines drifted into the back of the net.
Another from mud-skipping striker Richie Shields and a spot kick prompted by an off-balanced Denley defender saw Brighouse take a 3-0 lead at the break.
Denley failed to make the most of their chances, while the Brighouse midfield dominated possession in the muddy conditions.
Brighouse striker Glenn Harpley converted a well-placed cross to extend the lead, while Sheilds kept ducking,weaving and wading to add one more to his tally for the season.
With a number of regulars away, Denley kept pressing. Their efforts were rewarded with a late consolation goal from Steve Fairley, and the match finished with Brighouse taking the points, 5-1.
With the waves lapping on the sidelines at Brabham, both Waratah Old Boys and Millthorpe were both low on numbers for their match.
Two spot kicks in quick succession gave Millthorpe the early lead.
Tahs’ keeper Craig Penrose donned flippers to make a series of braves saves to keep his side in the running.
Tahs hit back to make it 2-1 by half time, and with the traditional 90 minutes washed back to 60, there was no further score.
In the round’s other match, Barnestoneworth United surrendered a 2-0 lead over Gladdyatahs, only to see the greatest comeback since Noah’s Ark as Gladdies notched a 3-2 win at the slushy Waratahs field.