Coffs City United and Alstonville FC celebrated grand final glory after claiming the UNE Regional Super League women’s and men’s titles respectively on Saturday.
UNE Regional Super League Women's
Coffs City United 4-3 Lake Cathie FC
The UNE Regional Super League Women’s grand final was a thrilling affair from start to finish.
Coffs City United opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Lily Mackay broke through the backline unmarked and charged down the field before sending the ball into the bottom-left corner.
With momentum on their side, Coffs quickly doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Georgia Silvy sent the ball across goal intended for Saysha Hopkinson, but an attempted deflection by Lake Cathie’s Emilee Franklin saw her find the back of her own net.
Lake Cathie continued to push to get on the scoresheet throughout the first half, but dominant defence by Coffs City saw the Lionesses go into the break leading 2-0.
The pressure Lake Cathie built in the first half continued after the break, and they found the back of the net in the 72nd minute as Franklin charged down the field, beating Coffs City defender Eleanor Owen to send the ball into the bottom-left corner.
The Raiders found the equaliser in the 79th minute when Olivia Mara made her way down the sideline and sent the ball to an unmarked Asha Paff, who chipped the goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
The sides battled throughout the second half and as the match entered stoppage time, Lake Cathie looked to edge ahead when Kaylie Dawson scored, but the goal was ruled offside.
Coffs City’s Alexandra Gadd looked to break the deadlock moments before full-time, but a fantastic save by Lake Cathie’s Finlay Harry denied her and sent the teams to extra time.
Lake Cathie took the lead for the first time in the 95th minute when a long ball from Chelsea Hall found Franklin in the box, with her half-volley hitting the post before bouncing over the line.
But Coffs City did not back down, as Gadd beat Lake Cathie’s Michaela Elford and sent the ball towards goal, with the ball hitting the post before bouncing into the goal in the 99th minute.
Coffs City United regained the lead in the 111th minute when Alexis Silvy charged into the penalty area and sent the ball into the middle of the goal to secure a 4-3 win and the UNE Regional Super League Women’s championship.
Coffs City’s Alexandra Gadd was named player of the match.
Coffs City United coach Nathan Silvy said it was a huge achievement for his side to win the final and he was proud of the work they put in.
"It was a great game today by our girls, we showed some real resilience out there," Silvy said.
"Leading into this game we weren't sure of our final squad; there were some injuries that hit. We brought in five of our under-16s today to get us through, and some of those girls played this morning before this game. So, I cannot hold them in any higher esteem at the moment.
"For our club this is a massive achievement. It's the first time we've been in a grand final and the first time the club has ever won one, so we're super excited."
UNE Regional Super League Men's
Alstonville FC 4-1 Moore Creek FC
The UNE Regional Super League Men’s grand final was a tense affair between two newcomers determined to make history.
Alstonville and Moore Creek came out firing as they looked to open the scoring. Alstonville looked likely in the 18th minute as Gabe Vidler charged down from halfway to the side of the penalty area, but his attempt was denied by a fantastic save from Joshua Magann.
Moore Creek used the momentum to find the back of the net when Daniel McCormack won the ball at the top of the penalty area and sent it past goalkeeper Ben Hudson, who was off his line, and into the goal in the 20th minute.
Alstonville looked for a response in the 28th minute when Jonathon King back-heeled the ball to Isaac Essery, but another save by Magann saw his side take a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Alstonville put the break to good use when they scored the equaliser in the 56th minute. Jacob Bazar whipped the ball into the penalty area and Joshua Cole headed it in.
Back-to-back goals in the 61st and 63rd minutes by Euan Thum-Davidson and Vidler saw Alstonville quickly gain an important 3-1 lead.
Moore Creek searched for a response in the 69th minute as Noah Brown unleashed a shot towards goal but was denied by Hudson. As the ball spilled from Hudson’s hands, Moore Creek’s Benjamin Schieb pounced, but the ball was quickly collected.
Alstonville put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute as Cole found King inside the box, who sent the ball towards goal. The ball hit the post before bouncing over the line to secure the 4-1 win and the UNE Regional Super League Men’s championship.
Alstonville’s Jonathon King was named player of the match.
Alstonville FC coach Andrea Zubani said he believed his side deserved the win after wearing down a difficult Moore Creek defence.
"It was probably the best win the men's premier team has had in Alstonville FC history because it's our first grand final win," Zubani said.
"It was a great game, down 1-0 at half-time and it was pretty tense because Moore Creek defended really well, but I knew that the boys had it in them to come back in the second half and win this game.
"I think it's well deserved in the end, we've had a great [UNE] Regional Super League."
Football Operations and Compliance Officer Mitchell O'Keefe said the tournament had been a huge success.
“The UNE Regional Super League has continued to build on the success of its first year, and it has been fantastic to see the quality and competitiveness of the football throughout the competition,” O'Keefe said.
“The competition provides a great platform for our regional clubs and players to compete at a high level and showcase their talent.
“It was fantastic to see such a highly regarded institution as the University of New England continue its alignment with our regional premier league as the naming rights partner. Their continued support has been an important part of the competition’s growth.
“Thank you to all the member zones, clubs, players, coaches, officials and volunteers who have contributed to another successful season.”