It was another jam-packed day at Coffs Coast Synthetics for the final day of the Champion of Champions Boys tournament on Thursday.
The gloomy and overcast conditions did not overshadow the occasion as the day was filled with hard-fought semi-final and grand final matches to crown the champions of each age group.
The girls tournament will kick off on Friday morning, with another three days of competition ahead.
Under-12s Boys
Alstonville entered the third and final day undefeated having only conceded one goal. They continued their dominant display defeating second-placed Coffs City United FC 3-1.
The sides would meet again in the afternoon for the under-12s grand final.
Coffs Coast Tigers FC secured their first point of the tournament in the under-12s final pool game when they faced third-placed Maclean FC in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Alstonville and Coffs City met for the second time on Thursday with Alstonville crowned the champions of the under-12s competition after a 3-1 victory.
It was another tough fought battle between the two sides after it was 1-1 after the fifth minute.
But Alstonville broke ahead in the 24th minute when Henry Buchanan hit the back of the net before they netted another one to take the final score to 3-1 and secure the win.
Under-13s Boys
Nelson Bay FC and Bellingen FC went into the qualifying final on Thursday morning having met once in the pool games, when Bellingen was victorious 1-0. The close contest continued with an end-to-end battle where just one goal, scored by Nelson Bay’s Henry Lilly, was enough to separate the two sides.
Northern Storm FC and Coffs City United FC went head-to-head in the elimination final where Northern Storm’s Nate Brooks was able to hit the back of the net in the first minute to put his side in front. That goal was enough to secure Northern Storm’s spot in the semi-final where they would face Nelson Bay.
Undefeated Iona SC faced Bellingen in semi-final one where the two teams could not be separated at full-time following a 1-1 draw. After a thrilling end-to-end contest, the first penalty shootout of the tournament kicked off. Iona’s Albert Finnecy secured his team’s position in the grand final after calmly converting the fourth and final penalty of the match.
The close contest in the under-13s continued when Nelson Bay faced Northern Storm in semi-final two. The teams battled for a hard-fought 2-2 draw to see the second set of penalties this tournament. After spectacular saves by both goalkeepers it was Nelson Bay’s Toby Kidd who secured his team’s spot in the grand final.
Iona continued their undefeated streak for the entirerty of the competition after they were crowned the champions of the under-13s competition after defeating Nelson Bay 1(4)-1(3) on penalties.
The grand final match was a thriller from the first to last whistle and the match was forced into penalties after the score was locked at 1-1 at full-time.
Iona’s goalkeeper pulled off two strong saves to win the penalty shootout and secure the silverware for his side.
Under-14s Boys
A spot in the grand final was up for grabs as the under-14s entered day three of the tournament with only four points separating first and sixth.
Urunga FC jumped to fourth place following a 2-1 victory over Iona. While Norths United kept Alstonville scoreless for the first time this tournament, battling for a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Iona SC Roar remained undefeated as they secured a 3-0 win over Coffs City United FC.
In the final pool matches, Alstonville defeated Iona SC Victory 2-0 to earn their spot in the grand final.
Nelson Bay FC and Coffs City were unable to find the back of the net in their final match of the tournament after a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
Iona SC Roar secured their place in the grand final after a 1-0 win over Urunga FC to finish the tournament at the top of the table.
The grand final was action-packed from start to finish, with the two teams desperate to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Frederick Mangan put Iona Roar ahead in the ninth minute but Alstonville struck back in the first minute of the second half through Rowdy Thurgate to lock up the score. Neither side was able to break the deadlock and the match headed to a penalty shootout to decide the champion.
Astonville proved too strong in the shootout and were victorious over Iona Roar 1(2)-1(4) in penalties.
Under-15/16s Boys
The two under-15s sides Coffs City United FC and Byron Bay FC went into Thursday morning’s pool games knowing they were playing in the grand final but that did not slow them down. Coffs City defeated a nine-man Tilligerry FC side 4-2, while Byron Bay went down 1-0 against Maitland JFC in a hard-fought final pool game.
Under-16s Alstonville FC and Coffs Coast Tigers FC faced off in the last pool game played in the division where Alstonville were victorious 3-0.
Undefeated under-16s Alstonville dominated Tilligerry in semi-final one 11-0 to advance through to the grand final against Maitland. Charlie Collins and Levi Priddle scored hat-tricks to help their team earn their spot in the grand final later in the day.
Maitland narrowly defeated Coffs Coast 1-0 in semi-final two to advance through to the grand final against Alstonville. A late goal from James Pyne in the 35th minute was all that could separate the two sides.
In the under-15s grand final Byron Bay came out on top to be crowned champions after a 2-0 victory over Coffs City FC. Byron Bay took the lead in the second minute through Tanakkrit Kingkaew after they were awarded a penalty inside the area before they doubled their lead two minutes later to secure the victory.
In the under-16s grand final Alstonville defeated Maitland FC 4-0 to secure the silverware. Alstonville’s Haylen Balfour scored twice to give his side a comfortable lead before Joshua Hargrave and Ryley Wells added to the tally to cement the victory.
Champion of Champions Boys Tournament Winners:
Under-12s:
Champions – Alstonville FC
Runners Up – Coffs City FC
Under-13s:
Champions – Iona SC
Runners Up – Nelson Bay FC
Under14s:
Champions – Alstonville FC
Runners Up – Iona SC
Under-15s:
Champions – Byron Bay FC
Runners Up – Coffs City United FC
Under-16s:
Champions – Alstonville FC
Runners Up – Maitland Junior FC
