Norths United came up against newcomers to the Premier League competition, the Narrabri Cougars, at Phil Wheaton Oval on Saturday, winning 4-3.
The score made the game look closer than it was with Norths denied a plethora of goals that either hit the crossbar or were saved by the Narrabri goal-keeper who had an outstanding game for his team.
Norths coach Andy Lennon couldn’t believe their bad luck in the game.
“We really did dominate the whole game, we hit the crossbar twice, hit the post once and missed the penalty. We probably created about 15 to 20 opportunities to score and we just didn’t finish them,” said Andy Lennon.
“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how much good football we play, if you don’t put the football in the net, you don’t get results.”
Norths went in hard from the first minute of the game, which gave Narrabri a few opportunities.
“Because we were pushing so hard, it gave them a chance to play, leaving us one on one on the break, which is how they scored their first two goals,” said Andy.
“It was two-all at half-time and I said to the boys in the shed that we need to go back out and play the same football, but we just need to be more critical in front of the goal.
“Again in the second half we missed opportunities and we were very lucky to get away with it in the end.”
Norths knew very little about the Narrabri team and the coach believed that this was good for his side.
“We had to work out pretty quickly what they had and how we were going to approach the game,” said Andy.
“I did know that a few of the Tamworth teams were giving them a three, four or five goal beatings, so we sort of thought we would be in that league also, it could have been if we had taken our chances.”
In other Round 8 games, Joeys FC United drew 3-all with the Imperials, East Armidale drew 1-all with Moree, Gunnedah United verses South Armidale was washed out, North Companions defeated Guyra United 2-0, Wee Waa United versus Demon Knights was washed out and Tamworth FC defeated Glen Innes Highlanders 3-0.
Story: Jo Harrison
