FC bound for A-Grade grand final

Barnstoneworth FC have firmed in contention as the side best placed to take on undefeated Waratahs FC in Saturday’s Orange A-Grade football grand final, after a solid 2-0 win over club-mates Barnies United.

The result could have been different after United missed a penalty early in the first half. Soon after United fell behind to a Jack McGregor first half strike.

The confidence and enthusiasm that FC was displaying forced United to pull back from their usually fluent passing game with every possession under scrutiny.

FC manager Brendon Manning couldn’t be happier.

“We were thrilled with the result,” Brendon Manning said. “We knew they were going to come out hard and we just weathered the storm.

“But after we bagged the first goal it was one way traffic, and United only had one or two chances in the second half."

The second goal came when United pushed forward, looking for the equaliser.

The effort left United stretched at the back. FC striker Lachie McHatton was on the spot to calmly lift the ball over keeper Jerome Luke, who had just saved an earlier attempt.

United coach Chris Jacobs praised his side’s determination.

“Unfortunately for United there was no come-back this time, which has been a hallmark of our season,” Chris Jacobs said.

“This derby delivered some quality and committed football on Saturday.”

FC’s win leaves them in good spirits to take on Tahs FC, according to captain Brendon Manning.

“Coach Rob Dawson was proud of the boys and our efforts,” Brendon Manning said. “We have confidence we can go one more, and take out the grand final.”

The loss has turned out to be the last outing in the red and white for a number of players with big money transfers of Ibby Yunusa and Bill Foster already announced and a number of other players are now off-contract.

Chris Jacobs revealed his frustrations at not being able to match offers from bigger clubs but wished the departing stars well in their career.

“Our club’s recruitment staff are already hard at work behind the scenes working with the off contact players and we’re looking for new players to sign, now there is a little more room in the salary cap.”