DUBBO FC saved their best for last and it helped them claim the Western Premier League first grade grand final yesterday.
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The defending premiers took on Orange Waratahs but it was Dubbo FC who were the stronger side and claimed a 3-1 victory.
Dubbo FC captain-coach Scott Fox said his team turned it on for the decider in Orange.
“I’m ecstatic,” Fox said.
“That was probably the best we’ve played all season. It was a big effort. I think we deserved it. We were the best team all year.”
The Bulls had a fantastic start with Nelson Flick running onto a through-ball and was able to nudge it into the goal.
Twenty minutes later it was Fox who showed off his skills, working the ball around the defence before slotting in a nice goal to give the Bulls a 2-nil lead.
Waratahs lifted in the second half and created scoring chances.
However, it was Dubbo FC who added to their tally 30 minutes into the second period when Flick went one-on-one with Waratahs keeper Adam Brakenridge and scored.
This goal seemed to fire up Waratahs and when they earned a penalty kick 10 minutes later, Ryan Sinclair made sure he put it away.
Trailing by two, Waratahs kept creating chances but couldn’t convert and Dubbo FC claimed another trophy.
“Our defence was great,” Fox said.
“We gave them very limited opportunities. That set the platform for the win.”
Orange Waratahs coach Gary Davidson said his team lost some of its forward momentum when striker Kiel Sinclair came off with a hamstring injury in the first half.
“It was always going to be hard from the start having Tim Davidson out and Andrew Lundie away. That’s a big gap in our midfield,” Davidson said. “Once Kiel came off, we just didn’t fire from there.”
Davidson conceded the Bulls were too good.
“Credit to FC,” he said.
“They played well. They are a force to be reckoned with for at least the next two or three years I think.”
Fox singled out strikers Flick and Robbie Phair for praise for their work up front.
Davidson commended goalkeeper Adam Brakenridge for a strong performance.
“He missed a couple, but he saved at least four,” Davidson said.
“He made some fanastic saves. His reading of the ball today was great.”
DUBBO FC 3 (Nelson Flick 2, Scott Fox) def ORANGE WARATAHS 1 (Ryan Sinclair).
