The North Coast Football under 16s side are into this year’s grand final of the NPL Boys Northern NSW season.
North Coast Football’s under 16s made this season’s grand final in dramatic fashion, beating Edgeworth FC on penalties after the two sides couldn’t be separated at 3-3 after 80 minutes of football at Lake Macquarie.
North Coast Football under 16s will now play Maitland FC in the grand final this Saturday afternoon at Lake Macquarie.
North Coast Football won their previous meeting 2-1, while Maitland won their first meeting of the season 4-0.
Maitland qualified for the grand final after a 2-0 victory against the Broadmeadow Magic in their semi-final.
The North Coast Football’s under 14s team’s season came to a close after a 4-1 defeat to Mid Coast Football in their semi-final.
North Coast Football Player and Coaching Development Manager Alex Nolan gave a recap of the semi-finals.
“The under 16s started really well and had all the possession, but they gave up a goal and were down 1-0 at the half,” he said.
“They came out firing in the second half and we got two quick goals to go up 2-1, then Edgeworth equalised with a penalty.
“With eight minutes to go we scored form a corner, and in the last-minute Edgeworth got a freekick and scored from it to make it 3-3.
“It came down to a penalty shootout, and we took our penalties very, very well.
“The under 14s also started really well and had a saved penalty and they hit the post, so they were unlucky not to go up 1-0.
“They were down 1-0 at half-time, and they kept pushing when they were down 2-1 and 3-1.
“The under 14s had a great season.”
Nolan gave an insight into the under 16s grand final opponents Maitland FC.
“It will be an interesting one as we had a wake-up call early in the season when they beat us 4-0, which is our biggest defeat of the season,” he said.
“They play a very counter attacking style of football and they have a striker that causes a lot of problems.
“Anything can happen in a grand final, and it should be a good game.”
