JASON Fisher’s reign as Kempsey Saints’ first grade coach has got off to a flying start, with his squad bringing home the Nambucca Challenge Cup last weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is the first time a Kempsey side has won the pre-season tournament since 1993.
Fisher himself had a hand in winning that as a player with the Macleay Valley Rangers.
He explained how the feeling of winning it as a player compared with doing so as a coach.
“As a player, I was pretty ecstatic, as I had the opportunity to play with some outstanding footballers at that time,” Fisher said.
“To win the competition as a coach, I was overwhelmingly proud of these boys, as they have put so much time into this club and have been through the ups and downs over the past five years of the Premier League.
“To see them finally believe in themselves was pretty special and rewarding.”
Saints won the final against Sydneysiders West Pymble, who have dominated the tournament in recent years.
A 0-0 full-time score set up a penalty shoot-out, which the Kempsey men won 4-2.
Goalkeeper Jacob Lyttle was the hero of the spot-kick decider.
Reserve grade coach Kevin Sinclair said the outcome was never in doubt once the referee blew for full-time.
“You’d always put your money on Jacob in that situation,” he said.
“We were confident of getting the win and we never felt we didn’t deserve the win.
“West Pymble couldn’t have come away thinking they had been hard done by.”
Fisher said his side had got better with every game.
The shortened match format – 20 minute-halves – had made for quick action and there were encouraging signs for the season proper, he said.
“Last year, I don’t think we won a game and were under-strength,” Fisher said.
“This year, we went up for match fitness and were pretty much at full strength.
“The team effort was great and the boys are starting to play for each other.”
Saturday’s action entailed a round-robin phase, with Saints beating Fairfield Hotspurs and Coffs Tigers (both 3-0), drawing 0-0 with familiar opponents Port United and earning a forfeit. Saints finished on top of their pool.
The knockout phase on Sunday saw the Saints win their first penalty shoot-out against Nambucca Old Boys, after a scoreless 40 minutes in the quarter-final.
Logan Mitchell scored the only goal in the semi-final against one of the host sides, Nambucca Blue.
Dylan Whalen, Jarrod Witheridge and Toby O’Brien each scored a brace in the round-robin matches.
Fisher was particularly pleased too with the defence, which did not concede a solitary goal in Saints’ six matches.
The coach said it was nearly impossible to single out individuals as key players over the weekend, as everyone had contributed well.
He did admit Blake Webster’s move to defensive midfield alongside Sam Mahony for Sunday’s matches had seen both players flourish.
“The players have been keen to work on their fitness,” Sinclair said.
“Last weekend showed they’re not far off the pace.”
Prior to their Premier League opening fixture at home to Wallis Lakes, on April 12, Saints will play trial matches against Wauchope and Port United.