Coffs Coast Synthetics proved to be the perfect facility on Wednesday to showcase some of the best youth community football teams from across NNSWF’s seven member zones challenging for the title of the Champion of Champions.
There were 25 matches contested during day two of the boys tournament, with teams battling to produce fantastic football as the wind and rain set in for the day.
The teams will now all play one last pool game on Thursday morning ahead of finals, which will be contested by the two top teams. While the under-13s will kick-off Thursday morning playing a qualifying final.
Under-12s Boys
Maclean FC entered Wednesday without a win but earned the three points in the first game of the day as they downed third-placed Coffs Coast Tigers FC 3-1. Maclean attacker Felix Lynch hit the back of the net twice and Abel Sansom once to rise from fourth to third.
Undefeated Alstonville FC and Coffs City United FC went head-to-head in the first game of the day, where Alstonville was able to continue their run of clean sheets and walk away with a 2-0 win.
Coffs City came out firing after their loss in the morning with a dominant display, defeating Maclean 10-1. Coffs City’s Khairi Edo showcased an attacking masterclass finding the back of the net six times and Darby Wall scoring his first hat-trick of the tournament. Alstonville appears unbeatable after another clean sheet, defeating Coffs Coast 3-0.
Alstonville have secured first place in their pool after a commanding 11-0 victory against Maclean. Alexander Crane scored his first goal of the tournament and didn’t stop there, finding the back of the net three more times. Coffs City came out firing in their final game on day two, securing a commanding 9-0 win over Coffs Coast. Coffs City’s Finn Adam hit the back of the net three times, scoring his first hat-trick of the tournament.
The two top-ranked teams are now nine points clear of their two counterparts, meaning they will battle in the final on Thursday morning after they contest one more pool round each.
Under-13s Boys
The under-13s continued to showcase their skills on day two of the tournament with four nail-biting contests.
Coffs City United FC secured their first point of the tournament when they went head-to-head with second placed Bellingen FC. The two teams could not be separated at full-time in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Undefeated Iona SC faced third-placed Nelson Bay FC and continued their clean sheet run defeating Nelson Bay 2-0.
Nelson Bay came out firing following the loss in the morning, securing a 2-0 win over Northern Storm. While Iona remained undefeated with a dominant 8-0 victory over fifth-placed Coffs City.
Iona will now have a break on Thursday morning after automatically qualifying for the semi-final. While Bellingen and Nelson Bay will go head-to-head in the qualifying final after finishing second and third. Fourth and fifth-placed Northern Storm and Coffs City will face off in the elimination final Thursday morning.
Under-14s Boys
The under-14s division set a high standard for the day as they produced three quality contests on Wednesday morning.
Urunga FC entered day two searching for their first win of the week and it appeared they would have to settle for a draw with Norths United FC was holding on at 1-1 but a late goal from Bella McKay sent the side in front to take all three points. Undefeated sides Coffs City United FC and Alstonville FC went head-to-head with Coffs City victorious 2-1. Iona SC Roar continued their winning streak, defeating Nelson Bay FC 2-1.
Nelson Bay recovered from the loss in the morning, securing a 2-0 win over sixth-placed Urunga. While an early goal for Norths United was enough to separate them from Coffs City sending them up to fourth place following a 1-0 win.
Alstonville and Nelson Bay went head-to-head both needing to win, and it was Alstonville who reigned victorious 1-0. Iona SC Victory took the field for the first time on day two searching for a win, securing their first points of the tournament after downing Norths United 2-1. Riley Falcke netted Iona Victory's first goal of the tournament in the 11th minute before teammate Daniel Madzivire found the back of the net two minutes later.
Coffs City and Urunga couldn’t be separated as they faced off resulting in a 0-0 draw. While Iona Roar reigned supreme of Port Macquarie when they defeated Iona Victory 3-0 placing them in the top spot ahead of tomorrow’s final pool game.
There is still so much on the line for the under-14s boys in their final pool games on day three, and another cracking morning of football is expected.
Under-15/16s Boys
Alstonville FC continued their dominant attack on day two of the tournament, defeating Coffs City United FC 5-0. Thomas Bazaar and Joshua Hargrave both found the back of the net twice, while Haylen Balfour added to his tally for the week scoring one goal. Byron Bay FC and Tilligerry FC went head-to-head as they entered day two searching for their first win of the week and it was Byron Bay that got the job done with a 3-2 victory.
Maitland JFC kept Alstonville scoreless for the first time this tournament, battling for a hard-fought 0-0 draw in a top-of-the-table clash. Coffs Coast Tigers FC took the field for the first time on day two later in the day and the rested legs proved to help, after they defeated Tilligerry 1-0.
Byron Bay kept the good times rolling when they defeated Coffs City 4-0. While Maitland JFC remained undefeated securing a 4-0 win over Coffs Coast.
Being the only two under-15s teams at the tournament, Coffs City and Byron Bay are guaranteed to meet in the under-15s final and will have one last pool game to prepare for the big game.
Explainer: How the Champion of Champions works
The Northern NSW Football Champion of Champions tournament brings together the best youth community football teams from across our seven Member Zones top competitions, to challenge for the title of Champion of Champions in their age group!
The final format, number of competing teams and age groups are finalised and advised once all registrations have been received.
More about the 2024 Champion of Champions tournament can be found HERE.
Key Champion of Champions Information:
See the fixtures and results for 2024 Champion of Champions HERE
