Dogwhistle
Byron Bay FC’s Northern Hotel Premier Reserves and Rails Hotel Third Division teams turned on some thrilling football in last Saturday’s semifinals.
The thirds set the pace, with a brisk and hard fought battle with Eureka. Byron’s goalkeeping coach, Damien Smith put in an extraordinary performance to keep the Rams 2–0 up well into the second half.
After one of many superb saves, Eureka pounced on a deflection to get back in the hunt at 2–1. The Rams turned up the heat in the closing stages and an amazing back-volley from Pete Link made it 3–1 and sealed a berth in the Third Division grand final for the Byron boys.
Veteran keeper Damien Smith backed up for his second match of the day and put in an even more impressive showing in the Reserve Grade match. Will Ennis opened the scoring three minutes in when a hand ball in the box yielded a penalty to the Rams. Kari Isaac was next on the board for Byron with a terrific strike from the corner of the box. Byron went into the break with a 2–0.
A beautifully taken free kick put Goonellabah back in the match in the second half and with ten minutes on the clock the Hornets took advantage of a goal-mouth fumble to equalise.
With the grand final spot back in play, both sides stepped up a gear and had the big crowd on their feet.
The scores remained locked at two apiece at the final whistle and the match went into extra time. Both sides dug deep, but the action was dominated by the Rams.
A long-range free kick from Ben Ahern found the gleaming head of Bruce Morhaus in the box and the Rams legend slid home the match decider. Bruce’s header secured a 3–2 win and a place in this week’s Grand Final.
The Reserves play rivals Richmond Rovers, at Oakes oval on Saturday at 4.15.
The Third Division grand final: Oakes Oval in Lismore this Friday night at 8pm.
