The Macleay Valley Rangers accomplished one of the most unfathomable grand final comebacks in Football Mid North Coast Premier League history as they overcame a 3-0 half-time deficit to defeat Wallis Lake 5-3 in extra-time on Saturday.
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The club’s historical victory seemed impossible midway through the second half as the Rangers trailed by three and their attacking raids were held at bay by a scrambling Wallis Lake defence.
However, the momentum swung heavily in the favour of Macleay Valley after they made their first breakthrough.
The Wallis Lake goalkeeper’s clearance landed straight at the feet of Chris Walker, who calmly controlled the ball and chipped it over the keeper and into the back of the net from more than 30 metres out.
The goal breathed life into the Rangers and less than four minutes later the deficit was reduced to one as Chad Applegate’s header beat the goalkeeper.
The Rangers continued to press and Andrew Potter, who was playing his final game for the Rangers’ first grade side, curled an attacking cross into the box from the sideline which beat all players and the Wallis Lake goalkeeper to level the scores with 11-minutes remaining.
It looked as if Wallis Lake had immediately reinstated their lead as they found the back of the net but the linesman’s flag was raised for an infringement in the lead up and the goal was disallowed to keep the scores level at three.
The match was destined for extra-time and the Rangers’ momentum was carried into the additional periods.
The Rangers were awarded a penalty in the first half of extra-time as a Wallis Lake defender blocked a shot on goal with his arm and John Henry consequently converted from the spot to give Macleay Valley their first lead of the match.
Following the goal, Macleay Valley defended as if their lives were on the line and John Clancy produced one of the saves of the season with only minutes left on the clock as he dove with his arm stretched out completely to the left and fended the ball away from goal to maintain the Rangers’ advantage.
With Wallis Lake pushing forward for an equaliser, they were short at the back and Applegate received the ball on the break and turned the lone defender inside out with his skill before he slotted the ball past the Wallis keeper to put the nail in the coffin.
Minutes later jubilation was felt across the field by Rangers players and hundreds of their fans as the fairytale comeback was complete.
Rangers coach Keith Morn claims he still had belief in his side despite trailing by three at half-time.
“I thought we could still win, I have always believed we can beat them every game,” Morn said.
“It was going to be tough to come back from three but I knew this side was capable of special things.
“I made a change at half-time and we immediately started to look more threatening and were more stable at the back.”
After hearing the final whistle, Morn’s first thoughts were for his players.
“I was happy for all of the players, they have worked hard all year and deserved to win,” Morn said.
“Their attitude has been terrific all year, they have never given up and kept fighting until the end and that showed again today.”
Morn reflected on a tough 12-months for the club and was grateful the club has been able to shine.
“From where we started this season, with deducted competition points and playing a couple of home games on the road, this has been a perfect ending,” Morn said.
The Rangers went into the contest with their backs against the wall as they were without four instrumental players as Sam Applegate, Kurt Riordan, Steve Morn were suspended while Ben Mitchell was out due to injury.
The pressure mounted as Wallis Lake, aided by a strong breeze at their backs, dominated the first half.
Wallis opened the scoring inside five-minutes as their striker curled the ball away from Clancy’s reach.
The advantage was doubled in the final 15-minutes of the first half as the Wallis striker showcased his speed to get in behind the Rangers defence and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Wallis were on the front foot and they would have extended their lead further if it wasn’t for scrambling defence and Clancy producing classy saves.
However, another blow was landed before the break when a deflection landed at the feet of a Wallis player who volleyed it into the net to score their third goal.
Wallis’ first half performance set the stage for one of the greatest victories for the Macleay Valley Rangers.
The Premier League premiership caps off a great season for the Macleay Valley Rangers, as the Under-18s girls and Women’s Northern League sides also claimed grand final victories.
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