The 2024 NAIDOC Cup kicked off in perfect conditions on Thursday as Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility hosted a thrilling day two on Awabakal country.
The First Nation tournament saw four games take place on day two, with Football NSW defeating Northern NSW Football in the under-14s girls 4-0 in the opening match on Thursday.
Football NSW's Tikka Jeffery opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Isabella Langridge doubled the lead. It looked like Football NSW would end game one with a 2-0 victory but goals from Khloe Houghton goal in the 73rd minute and Maddison Houghton six minutes later put the game to bed.
It was an intense battle between NNSWF and Football NSW in the under-14s boys' competition, with both teams gaining a point following a 3-3 draw.
Football NSW's Adam Mohana opened the scoring for the day in the third minute. It looked like they were heading into half-time with a 1-0 lead but a goal from NNSWF's Will Hannah three minutes before the break sent the teams into half-time locked at 1-1.
A goal from Football NSW's Tyler Hawkett put his side back in front in the 66th minute but NNSWF's Lachlan Blayden tied the game back up 2-2 seven minutes later. NNSWF took the lead for the first time in the 76th minute when Levi van Haren found the back of the net off a corner. NNSWF looked like they were taking all three points in game one but a last-minute goal from Football NSW's Jake Wynne sent the sides away sharing the points locked up 3-3.
Football NSW continued its dominance in the girls tournament taking down NNSWF under-16s girls 2-1. Football NSW's Bonnie Joan Young opened the scoring for in the 16th minute. It appeared NNSWF was heading into half-time trailing but a last-minute strike from Kalani Ryan sent the sides into the break locked up 1-1.
Bonnie Joan Young added to her tally for the day by securing Football NSW's under-16s second tournament goal in the 61st minute. NNSWF came out firing for a solid second half but could not equalise despite their impressive attack. Football NSW took all three points, winning 2-1.
The day's final match was a fierce contest between both sides, with Football NSW proving too strong for NNSWF. Football NSW's Marli Wright put his side in front in the first minute after converting a penalty. Football NSW did not slow down, with Ashton Hawkett scoring only eight minutes later, putting his side 2-0 in front. NNSWF stole one back in the 16th minute when Kaiden Bouldery found the back of the net. They went into half-time trailing 2-1.
Football NSW kicked on in the second half with Benjamin Duroux securing a hat-trick for his side. Tiago William Torres put the nail in the coffin in the 78th minute as Football NSW walked away with a 6-1 victory.
NNSWF Legacy Development Officer - First Nations Football Programs Micheal Hugo was pleased with the NNSWF teams' efforts.
"It's been a very eventful day. Results haven't gone [Northern NSW Football’s] way but I take my hat off to our sides because there's been really good performances," Hugo said.
"Hopefully tomorrow has better results with better consistency and some really good football.”
Day three matches kick off at 9am and see each team play each other once more.
The official medal ceremony and cup presentation will be held at 3.45pm which will also feature the announcement of the players of the tournament.
2024 NAIDOC Cup Day Two Results
Under-14s Girls
Northern NSW 0
Football NSW 4 (Tikka Jeffery, Isabella Langridge, Khloe Houghton, Maddison Houghton)
Under-14s Boys
Northern NSW 3 (Will Hannah, Lachlan Blayden, Levi van Haren)
Football NSW 3 (Adam Mohana, Tyler Hawkett, Jake Wynne)
Under-16s Girls
Northern NSW 1 (Kalani Ryan)
Football NSW 2 (Bonnie Joan Young 2)
Under-16s Boys
Northern NSW 1 (Kaiden Bouldery)
Football NSW 6 (Marli Wright, Ashton Hawkett, Benjamin Duroux 3, Tiago William Torres)
The 2024 NAIDOC Cup is supported by the NSW government through the $10 million NSW Football Legacy Program.
