United win sets up club derby A-Grade final

Barnstoneworth United has delivered a well-constructed 2-nil win over Cowra Eagles in the A-Grade minor semi on Saturday.

First score in the minor semi came from United attacker Lachie Peet after a pinpoint clearance by keeper Jerome Luke, Peet calmly passing the ball under the keeper.

Cowra launched raid after raid but kept coming up short with defenders Tom Radnedge, Bill Foster, Ibby Yunusa and Aaron Driver a force to be reckon with.

In recent weeks, the side’s star keeper Matt Delaney has been plying his trade on the wing due to United’s lack of playing numbers.

Manager Chris Jacobs scheduled a one-on-one, pre-match, coaching session with Delaney with the focus on turning him into a human obstacle.

Jacobs revealed to the waiting media after the match his last instruction was simply to "just get in the road".

“It looked to me that Delaney was so successful in his mission a distinct outline of the match ball could be seen imprinted on his ribs,” Chris Jacobs said.

Barnies 2nd came after a free kick from 30 metres out saw dead-ball specialist Alex Elliot deliver a clinical pass that dropped into no-mans-land between the keeper and the Cowra backline.  Sam Sutton drifted unseen on the back post to nod in the goal.

“To Cowra's credit they pushed players forward to get a foot hold in the game, but our back line held out.”

The task for the United squad doesn't get any easier on Saturday, up against stablemates FC to earn a place in the grand final.

A huge crowd is expected with spectators advised to get to the game early to avoid any chance of missing the kick off due to traffic or security bag searches at the Stedman Stadium turnstiles.