A late goal has not only given Waratah FC the match points but also set up a thrilling battle for second place on the Orange District Football Association’s A grade ladder with one game before the finals.
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Waratah FC captain Ryan Sinclair said he believed his team had the clash against CYMS basically won after his team scored.
However, he said a 10-man CYMS, which battled bravely in the snowing and freezing conditions last Sunday after having a player sent off in the first half, scored an equaliser in the second half.
“They scored with 10 minutes to go, to draw it up with a man down,” he said.
“They were quite an impressive young side and took it to us.
“They definitely gave us a run for our money.”
However the deadlock was broken when striker Michael Collison scored with just five minutes of regulation time to play.
The 2-1 victory puts Waratahs in third place on the ladder.
Millthorpe Tigers has wrapped up the minor premiership and enjoys a week off before the finals thanks to a bye.
However only two points separates Barnstoneworth United and Waratah FC with one game to go and the important second-chance finals spot afforded to teams finishing first and second up for grabs.
Barnstoneworth plays sixth placed CYMS while Waratah FC plays fifth-placed Saints Turbulence.
Barnstoneworth FC is set to claim fourth spot and plays Barbarians this week.
Sinclair said Waratah FC had experienced a mixed season after going undefeated in the first round of the year.
However, he said the draw, which gave them their fair share of Friday night and Sunday games in the second half of the season, had contributed to them struggling to field their top team.
Sinclair said a combination of player unavailability and injuries had hit the side.
“It’s more about getting our players on deck,” he said.
“We seem to be missing two, three or four players out of the starting lineup each week.
“In the second round our side has been playing a lot of Sunday and Friday night games.
“It definitely hurts.”
However, Sinclair said that with most players available they were looking to have a strong run in the finals.
After sewing up the B-grade minor premiership Barnstoneworth meet fourth-placed CYMS Little Johns on Sunday.
However, the battle for other finals’ spots is close with only two points separating CYMS Pink, Ex-Services and CYMS Little Johns.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
