1st November 2007
Final Report
Report courtesy of www.coffscityunitedfc.org.au
Champion of Chamions Final: October 28, 2007
A fairytale ending to a great season for Coffs City United was dashed by a late 'goal' from Wyoming and a decision that both incensed and baffled the Lion's players and supporters. Coming from a goal down at the break to draw level with half an hour to play and then play themselves into a winning situation the player's stood in disbelief as the match official refused to acknowledge what every other person at the ground saw, HAND BALL... and then award the decisive goal.
This ending to a fantastic contest where both sides gave their all and then some was a massive anti-climax and deflected some of the deserved bragging rights from Wyoming to post match comment about an inexplicable and indefensible decision. The goal scorer freely acknowledged what had occurred, official photographers had it on film but the match official said to players when questioned; "IT WAS ACCIDENTAL"...
Please explain!
Two undefeated teams from season 2007 with similar statistics really put on a performance of top quality football in front of a large and appreciative crowd at the home of NSW Football, Valentine Park in the AA Champion of Champion's final. Both sides were as expected, at near to full strength as could be and ready to play. The ground was in excellent condition and the weather warm with a strong wind favouring which ever team ran with it.
With the wind, Wyoming were content to play long balls to their long, tall striker but this tactic was easily contained by Col Smith, Will Bailey and Brent Turner who all put in stellar performances and showed why the Coff's City United defence has been so hard to breach this season.
Without a doubt, Anthony Wiseman was the best player on the ground. He was everywhere and unstoppable in a display that won him many new admirers and confirmed what the rest of us knew... he is a player! His second half goal from nearly 30 metres had class all over it and visibly lifted his team back into the ascendancy at a time when Wyoming appeared as though they could close the game out. Instead with the ball ripping into the net, Coffs United players responded magnificently and took the game to the last 2 minutes of normal time before Wyoming managed to score their winning goal.
Wyoming, to their credit acknowledged that the best team had not won the game but winners can always smile and the losers please themselves. Wyoming are a good side and the entire game was evenly contested by all players and was a great game to watch. Chances at both ends, some lucky breaks for both teams and some crunch saves when they had to be made.
Once again Joshua Wiseman placed himself high on any list of goalkeeping merit with a quality performance behind his defensive wall and rarely looked in doubt when called into action.
Wyoming certainly deserved their place in the final and were probably the hardest team that Coffs City has played all year and their 2-1 victory is a good indication of the closeness of the two sides.
Ben Mackay's players were gallant in defeat and gracious enough to allow Wyoming their moment of glory but most people came away from Valentine Park wondering what might have been if the referee had simply done his job.
- Report courtesy of www.coffscityunitedfc.org.au
