HANWOOD Football Club (FC) booked its place in the Griffith and District Football Association grand final, with a clinical 2-0 win over Yoogali Soccer Club at West End Oval yesterday.
In a match where chances on goal were rare, Hanwood FC made the most of its luck and skill to put away a disappointing Yoogali side that favoured its chances of knocking off the minor premiers.
Winning skipper Anthony Agresta praised his defensive men that crippled the Yoogali SC attackers, including 2008 Golden Boot winner Grant Davidson.
“Defensively I think we were outstanding today, I think that was probably the best thing for us,” Agresta said.
“We’re definitely glad we got that game out of the way and the week off will give a few of the guys a chance to freshen up.”
Joe Catanzariti (knee) and Agresta (quadricep) were less than 100 per cent by the end of the game, but with the week off the Hanwood coach said all players should be fit, including Ryan Spencer who missed yesterday’s game with a broken toe.
Yoogali SC captain Grant Davidson said his side simply couldn’t maintain the structure that saw them reach second place on the ladder.
“We’re very disappointed with the way we played today, we just couldn’t get anything going,” Davidson said.
“It’s been happening the last few weeks against some of the others sides as well, we just don’t seem to be able to perform to the level that we need.
“But credit to Hanwood they deserved the win, they were simply the better team on the day.”
The Yoogali SC skipper said they allowed the minor premiers too much time in the midfield, which in turn created defensive pressure for themselves.
“Defensively we gave them too much time on the ball, whenever we had it they were nipping at our heels all the time.”
Davidson said he hoped the younger members of his squad could bounce back in the elimination game next weekend against Yoogali Football Club, who will be riding high after its 3-2 win over Norths yesterday.
“That will be a tough game and they beat us before so they will be pretty confident again, but hopefully we can keep a clean sheet at one end and try and create some more opportunities at the other,” he said.
The game started out at a hectic pace, a fair reflection of having the two best sides in the competition taking part.
Andrew Vitucci for Yoogali SC, was busy early on and Hanwood tested out the woodwork with a thundering shot.
But in the 35th minute an indirect free kick was given to Hanwood FC from only six metres out.
Six Yoogali players, two Hanwood attackers and the keeper formed a dense wall, with the shot from Catanzariti seemingly having eyes as it found the bottom left corner.
Yoogali nearly hit back straight away with a free kick from half way almost sneaking in under bar.
With the slender one goal lead heading into the break, Hanwood continued its domination in the midfield to set up its final goal.
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