The inaugural UNE Northern NSW Regional Super League finals weekend is here.
The maiden competition kicked off in May with 16 teams across men’s and women’s competitions.
The final eight will meet for the semi-finals at Scully Park, Tamworth on Saturday, with the winners to back up for the grand finals on Sunday.
The UNE NNSW Regional Super League Women’s grand final will kick-off at 3pm on Sunday. With the UNE NNSW Regional Super League Men’s grand final to follow at 6pm.
All matches will be broadcast on the NNSWF YouTube channel.
UNE NNSW Regional Super League Women’s Semi-Final 1
Lake Cathie FC v Oxley Vale Attunga
Scully Park, Saturday 10am
Lake Cathie FC head coach Craig Bulmer believes the mental aspect of the game will play the biggest part when his side takes on Oxley Vale Attunga in the first UNE NNSW Regional Super League semi-final at Scully Park on Saturday morning.
Lake Cathie and OVA have gone head-to-head already in the UNE RSL group stage where the Raiders secured a commanding 10-0 victory.
But Bulmer is not letting past results influence how his side will take the field on Saturday despite how excited they are.
“We’re pumped, to be honest. This competition was designed to bring the best of the best from our region together and to reach the finals is an achievement in itself,” Bulmer said.
“We’re not letting it affect us as we’re well aware that anything can happen in finals football.
“Technical and tactical ability are key. It's the mental side of the game that often gets you over the line in the tougher matches.”
The Raiders finished the group stage of the competition at the top of the women’s group A table, recording only one goal against them across the three matches.
They had similar success in the Football Mid North Coast Women’s competition, where they finished the season second on the table with just one loss.
Heartbreak came for the side in the grand final when they went down 1-0 in a hard-fought match against Macleay Valley Rangers.
But Bulmer was proud of his side for the success they have achieved in a difficult season and their involvement in the inaugural UNE NNSW RSL competition.
“In my nine years of coaching, this has been the most challenging season with injuries, forfeits, washed-out rounds and constant rain. But these girls are resilient,” Bulmer said.
“They've been rolling with the punches all year, on and off the pitch and this weekend is just another opportunity to rise again.
“This competition is bigger than people realise. We've faced quality opposition, met some great people and seen first-hand the potential of this competition.
“It’s been an awesome experience to be part of its beginning and we see a really bright future for the league and the players in our region.”
The Raiders’ FMNC season came to end just two weeks ago but they returned to the park just one day after their grand final heartbreak to refocus on the UNE NNSW RSL finals series.
They will be determined to make their way to their second grand final in as many weeks and potentially have redemption against Macleay.
OVA will look to continue the success from its NNSWF – Northern Inland Tamworth Women’s season where they finished top of the table with 127 goals netted and just eight goals conceded.
Much like the Raiders, OVA also narrowly went down in their grand final when Tamworth FC defeated them 2-1.
They will be hopeful to lock in a semi-final win and potentially meet Tamworth in the grand final to rewrite their story.
The winner of Lake Cathie v Oxley Vale Attunga will face the winner of Macleay Valley Rangers v Tamworth FC in the grand final at 3pm on Sunday.
UNE NNSW Regional Super League Women’s Semi-Final 2
Macleay Valley Rangers v Tamworth FC
Scully Park, Saturday 12.15pm
Two teams looking for their second trophy of the year will go head-to-head when Macleay Valley Rangers and Tamworth FC face off in the UNE NNSW Regional Super League semi-final at Scully Park on Saturday afternoon.
Macleay were crowned champions of the Football Mid North Coast Women’s competition, while Tamworth was victorious in the NNSWF – Northern Inland Tamworth Premier League competition.
Tamworth finished the Tamworth Premier League competition second on the table, just two points behind Oxley Vale Attunga in first.
But the side secured their spot in the grand final with a dominant 6-1 win over OVA in round one of the semi-finals before meeting them again in the grand final and securing a 2-1 win.
Macleay closed out the FMNC Women’s season undefeated and sat at the top of the table.
They continued their winning streak when they downed Lake Cathie 1-0 in the grand final.
Despite both teams being in women’s group B, the sides did not face each other in the group stage due to wet weather delaying their round three clash.
Macleay had the better of the results recording two wins, including a commanding 17-0 victory over Port United FC. While Tamworth had one win and one loss..
Both sides will be determined to add a trophy to their collection and secure a spot in the inaugural grand final but it will come down to who can shut down the relentless front third first.
Whoever reaches the grand final could be set for a rematch against the team they defeated in their respective zone grand final, something they will already be aware of heading into the weekend.
The winner of the Macleay Valley Rangers v Tamworth FC clash will take on the winner of Lake Cathie FC v Oxley Vale Attunga in Sunday’s grand final, kicking off at 3pm.