IT was a good grand final for the Workmens Club Redbacks Junior Football Club winning two of the three titles on offer.
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The other grand final was taken out by Blackheath.
Under 12
Workies White v Wang: The Whites have been one of the form teams of the year and fully deserved their 3-1 win over a game Wang side.
Coach Rob Minner had the side primed for a big effort with all the team members contributing to the grand final win.
Outstanding were Ryan Bird, Kobi Egan, Rye Gibbs-Minner and from the under 10s Mitchell Jennings and Luca Giokaris.
A big thanks goes to coach Rob Minner and manager Kerry Bird.
Wang never gave up and can be proud of their season.
Under 14
Blacks v Blackheath Green: In the Blacks’ second grand final in two years, they came up against a red hot Blackheath Green side, who progressed through the season undefeated.
Three minutes into the game the Greens first goal came from lacking defence in the Blacks’ final third with a neat square ball finding the Green centre midfielder in space, giving the Blacks keeper no chance.
The goal sparked the Blacks into the game, with the Blacks now stepping up and putting pressure onto the Green midfielders, forcing the Greens into mistakes and giving the Blacks some possession.
The Blacks’ field position and their momentum they were giving the Greens a run for their money, coming more and more into the game.
Then, just on the half time whistle and against the run of play the Greens scored with a well taken shot.
It was 2-nil at the break.
Coach Brett Jenkins spoke to his young charges about composure, attacking and pressuring the Greens at every opportunity.
The Greens came out firing and lifted the tempo of the game and put three goals in the Blacks onion bag.
The final score was 5-nil.
The Blacks showed great character and growth to make the finals.
Congratulations to the Greens as they are worthy winners.
Well done to coach Brett Jenkins and the entire squad plus Ryan Bird, Kobi Egan, Rye Gibbs-Minner and Alex Stait and their coach Bob Minner for letting them fill in each week.
Playing to a stand still were Ethan Hammonds, Lars Baxter, Sam Jennings and Grady Roach, with all of the team never giving up.
The Blacks also thank all of their families, friends and Lithgow Workies for their continued support.
There is always next year.
Under 16
In what can only be described as one of the biggest upsets in local football history the young Workies Black side defeated the older Workies Reds.
The undefeated Reds came into the game clear favourites after an astonishing season scoring well over 100 goals and only conceding eight.
Workies Black had struggled all year to stop the Reds who had quality players all over the park.
The game started very evenly with both sides trying to control the ball.
There were not a lot of chances with the Blacks playing a five man midfield to stop the very talented pair of Mark Jamison and Jarod Inzitari getting time on the ball and producing through balls to the speedy forwards of Bayden Charlton and Jayden Hardie.
The Blacks held strong with Kobe Hunter and Logan Hunter throwing their bodies into every tackle.
The outside midfielders of Sarah Adnum and Chelsea Roach stood up to the bigger Reds but it was the Reds who had the better of the play.
After 20 minutes and the scores still level, a break down the left by the Blacks Jack Baxter opened up the defence of the Reds.
Jack turned and crossed an inch perfect pass to the sprinting Jordan Fordham who controlled the ball and then slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the Blacks a surprise lead.
The Reds were rattled but came back harder and faster with Sam Young and the super fit Isaac Trounce pouncing on every loose ball.
A one-on-one with Bayden Charlton and the Blacks keeper of Aiden Fitzpatrick saw the keeper stand tall and pull off a fantastic save.
With five minutes to go the ball fell to the midfielders Mark Jamison and Jarod Inzitari who combined in the middle to open up the Blacks defence.
An excellent ball split the defence and Bayden Charlton found himself again one on one with the Blacks’ keeper who this time had no chance as Bayden pushed the ball past him and into the net.
With the game even and only minutes until the half time break the Blacks were given a free kick about 40 meters out from the goal.
Jimmy Gibbs-Minner stepped up and had one thing on his mind.
He drove the ball at the goals and the advancing keeper for the Reds misjudged the shot and the ball sailed into the top of the net to hand the lead back to the Blacks.
The crowd were still celebrating when good work down the right from Dillan Thompson and Chelsea Roach, who was playing the game of her life, got the ball to the feet of Jimmy Gibbs-Minner.
Jimmy found space down the right touchline and drove a low hard cross towards the advancing Zakary Bishop.
Unfortunately for the Reds the retreating defender tried to clear the ball but it came off the side of his foot past the stranded keeper and within minutes of being level the Blacks had raced to a two goal lead.
Half time gave the Reds’ coach Neil Charlton time to try and settle his side while the Blacks coach of Jock Hunter just wanted his players to keep going and believe in themselves.
The second half started like the first with the midfields of both teams scrambling to win every ball.
The Blacks Jordan Fordham, Jack Baxter and Joshua Lutschini challenged for every ball but the Reds kept coming.
The Reds backs Phillip Dury and Blake Holmes stopped the Black attacks and their precise passes into the forward line were then intercepted by the Blacks Sam Jennings and Ethan Hammonds who were backing up from their own grand final.
With 10 minutes to go the Reds attacked down the left and were awarded a corner.
Bayden Charlton floated a perfect cross to the far post where a flying Mark Jamison headed the ball into the Blacks’ goal.
With only minutes to go the Reds threw everything at the Blacks but the keeper for the Blacks’ Aiden Fitzpatrick was pulling off some great fingertip saves to thwart the Reds.
He frustrated the Reds and a last minute shot from Isaac Trounce that hit the post was the last attempt for the Reds.
The referee blew the full time whistle and it was time for the Blacks to celebrate the win.
The win also meant the Blacks were awarded the Langlands Cup in a game they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Full credit to the Reds who were gracious in defeat but a great win for the Blacks coach Jock Hunter who believed all along that the team could win.
All Age
Blackheath’s wins in the All Age division will be featured in a later edition.