The Macleay Valley Rangers fought back from a goal down to level the scores twice in their grand final qualifier with Wallis Lake but it wasn’t enough to prevent a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat.
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The physical final seemed destined for extra-time but a penalty awarded to Wallis Lake in the final three-minutes was the deciding factor as the home team grabbed their third advantage of the game.
Despite never holding the lead, Macleay Valley was arguably the better side and created the more quality chances.
However, Rangers coach Keith Morn claims the inability of the referee to stamp out Wallis Lake’s excessive physicality was instrumental in his side suffering defeat.
“They were allowed to get away with almost anything,” Morn said.
“We had players brought down in the box on plenty of occasions and Sam (Applegate) was taken out heaps and eventually had to come off because they busted his ankle.
“Not one of their players was given a yellow card so they knew they could keep getting away with it.”
Wallis Lake opened the scoring in superb style in the eighth minute of the match as an attacking player took a shot from the corner of the 18-yard-box and gave the Rangers keeper John Clancy no chance.
In the end-to-end game, the Rangers were able to level as Sam showcased his array of skills to beat two defenders and fire in a goal.
The even contest continued for the remainder of the half but neither side capitalised on their opportunities.
The minor premiers reinstated their lead shortly after the break as an attempted clearance fell only as far as a Wallis Lake player who found the back of the net from more than 20-yards out.
The goal inspired the Rangers to lift and they began dominating the contest.
They produced repeated attacking raids and despite numerous previous shouts for a penalty falling on deaf ears, the referee finally pointed to the spot for a Rangers penalty halfway through the second half.
Chad Applegate had been brought down by the last defender in a goal scoring opportunity and while Morn believes it’s a clear cut penalty, he also said it should have been a red card.
John Henry converted the penalty to level the scores.
The Rangers continued to press but were unable to find the goal to send them through to their first grand final since 2013.
Macleay Valley have a second chance at reaching the decider when they host Port United in the preliminary final this Saturday.
Morn fears injured star striker Sam will be unfit to take the field.
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