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Our Kyogle U/11 Soccer side certainly have achieved a lot in their short
history. For two years now they have been both Minor and Major Premiers in
their division of the Far North Coast competition only being beaten once
in that time span, a great feat considering that this is the first time
they have played competitive soccer outside of Kyogle. Since the 8th of
October this side has been Playing in a statewide knockout competition
called "Champions of Champions" a prestigious competition which
is traditionally dominated by Sydney clubs and have done themselves and
our small town proud by making it through to the Major Final played in
Sydney on the 5th of November to claim the title of 2nd best team in the
state after going down 2-0 in a close game to Ku-ring-Gai club Wahroonga
This competition was contested by 23 teams in this division with
Kyogle playing 4 Sydney based teams to reach the finals traveling 3 times
over 8hrs to play which certainly is a great effort on its own.
In the first round Kyogle played Sydney side White City winning
(4-1) by penalty shootout after being locked together 1 all at the end of
extra time. They then travelled to Sydney to play St Clair winning 5-1in a
very entertaining game and in the 3rd round they defeated
Hornsby/Gladesville at Alstonville, again in the most nerve-racking way by
penalty shootout (4-2) after they finished the game nil all. Their last
game was against Manly Warringah at Gosford and no parent had any
fingernails left as the game was decided again by penalty shootout (3-1)
after ending at 1all.
To play in the final the team left for Sydney at 5am by bus on Saturday
morning with some players getting up at 3.30am just to catch the bus, they
arrived in Sydney at 4pm and were up by 6am the next morning getting ready
to play their game at 8.30 am This travelling alone was something
the players would have to overcome to win the final. From the kick off the
game see-sawed from one end of the field to the other with both teams
having shots on goal and with the score nil all midway through the second
half the game looked certain to go to another penalty shootout when while
trying to clear their line Kyogle suffered an unfortunate error of an own
goal which has happened to the best of teams throughout the world. The
players were clearly devastated by this and Wahroonga capitilised with
another goal soon after while Kyogle was in shock, who to their credit
came back with some strong attacking runs only to be denied by a very
defensive opposition. With 5 minutes left and time running out the Kyogle
supporters were twice brought to their feet when Daniel Newton and Michael
Singh both made breaks and had shots at goal which would have brought them
back into the game. Every player lifted for this occasion playing above
and beyond their limitations and are worthy holders now of the title
"Number 2" best team in the State. Congratulations and well done
you have done our district proud.
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