Despite going into the semi-finals as minor premiers, the Lithgow Panthers men couldn't convert any of their chances on Saturday, August 24 against Orange Wanderers.
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The went down 2-0 and exited the Premier League Hockey competition for 2019.
Panthers vice-captain Trent MacDonald said that the loss was disappointing after what had been a strong season.
"We were on top of the table for most of the season and then to get beat in the semi-final and now this final, it is just disappointing," he said.
Lithgow had a strong first half, keeping the Wanderers from scoring, but unable to put any points on the board themselves.
"We were probably the better side in the first half, spending about 90 per cent of the time in their half but we just couldn't score," he said.
Heading into second half the pressure was on for a spot in the grand final.
Then Wanderers player Bailey Ferguson latched onto an errant Panthers ball and won a one-on-one with the Lithgow keeper, scooping it over his head.
With eight minutes to go in the last, Wanderers put it beyond doubt after Adam Skelton contested a ball in the circle and got it into the back of the net to seal victory for the Orange side.
"They had two opportunities and they took them, we had 30 [chances] and didn't score," MacDonald said.
MacDonald said stand out players of the match were Dane Guffogg and Shaun McSorley and despite the score board, the side played really well.
"It's just disappointing because we've had an overall positive season with young guys stepping up into the squad," he said.
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"We lost some of our more experienced players, but to have the young ones step up and help us become minor premiers, and to get this close to a grand final, it's positive."
MacDonald said that he hopes the players stick around for next season.
"We are pretty keen, but we will just have to wait and see what happens with the competition first," he said.
MacDonald wanted to thank all the supporters who come out to the matches each week.
"We should thank the Lithgow Workies and Lithgow Tyre Service for their sponsorship, as well as all of our supporters," he said.
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