The Upper Macleay Yowies will search for back-to-back Men’s Northern League titles when they face off with the minor premiers Port Saints in the grand final this Saturday.
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The consistent Yowies have been the benchmark of the competition as they will contest their fifth decider in six seasons.
The Yowies followed their usual trend this year, they started off slow but once they hit their stride they proved nearly impossible to defeat.
Upper Macleay were undefeated until the final round of the season, when they suffered a 3-0 loss on the road against the Lake Cathie Raiders.
The Yowies went on to lose to the Raiders the following week, in the first weekend of the finals series.
Injuries and suspensions played their part in the Yowies losing 3-1.
However, it wasn’t the end of the line for the Yowies as their second place finish gave them a second bite at the cherry and the side took it with both hands.
They defeated Port FC 4-2 before Darren Cameron-Love, Dylan Short and Paddy Dixon scored goals in their 3-2 win over Port United in the preliminary final.
The Yowies will head into the grand final almost at full strength, with only one player on the sidelines due to injury, and coach Martin Ring is glad his side was able to overcome their late season stumble.
“We kind of imploded at the end, we suffered some suspensions and injuries but everyone except for one injured player is back for us,” Ring said.
“We returned to our best in our last two games and it’s shaping well for us to end the season on another high.
“Port United really put it to us and were leading 2-1 with 20-minutes to go but we scored two quick goals to take the lead and defended well for the final 10-minutes to earn a great win.”
The Yowies met the Saints only once during the regular season and they played out a 2-2 draw.
However, Upper Macleay learned a valuable lesson that day.
“We were winning 2-0 but they scored two late goals and made us settle for a draw,” Ring said.
“We need to play for the full 80-minutes this Saturday and if we do that then I know we will win.”
Ring is proud the Yowies club has been able to have success, despite facing larger clubs in the league.
“We come up against the big Kempsey and Port Macquarie clubs and have proven we can have success against them,” Ring said.
“About 90 per cent of our players have came through the ranks as juniors and that says a lot about us.”
The match will kick off at Findlay Park at 2pm.
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