SUPPLIED CONTENT – 01 JUNE 2021
Rob Pryor helped inspire Gunnedah to its first win over Tamworth in recent memory on Saturday. Pryor was instrumental with two goals in a match where little was left on the park.
Coach and Gunnedah goalkeeper Andy Cygan describing the win post-game as “good squad effort,” while commending the work of the returning Pryor who bagged a brace.
David Silver scored the side’s third goal.
“He’s been one of our best strikers for years and he wasn’t going to play this year… He’s been playing reserve grade keeper and we put him on the bench for first grade,” Cygan said.
Gunnedah were forced to come from behind to secure the result, with Tamworth holding the ascendancy at the break in a match that we could be reading about for some time.
The half time score 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
“I thought we were doing well, and I thought we were unlikely to be losing… We just needed to keep doing what we were doing which was get the ball out wide,” Cygan said.
The match wasn’t without controversy as two players were sent off for Tamworth, something that Gunnedah took advantage of late in the game.
Asked as to where he though the match was won, Cygan noted his side’s ability to move the ball forward in attack.
“The strike power towards the end was crucial… We had enough chances to easily win the game though in stages I thought we were headed for a draw,” he said.
Gunnedah next week make the trek east to tackle North Companions at Marius Street, while on Sunday they meet South United. Tamworth plays the top of the table Oxley Vale Attunga.
“If we can win both of those matches it puts us in a really good position… Our aim at the start was to finish fourth but now we should really be pushing for second,” Cygan said.
At Riverside Park, South United scored a three-goal win over Kootingal, moving the home side into fifth on the Premier Men’s table.
“I was very happy with Saturday’s performance. We had a number of first grade players out and the boys who stepped up did a great job,” coach Darrel Mole said.
“Blake Hawker had a strong game up front on the left, heavily involved all game. Justin Kellett and Harry Pollock also played well up front. Lucas Buckley showed good versatility.”
“The teamwork and communication displayed by the entire team played a big part in the win, along with our growing ability to hold possession and build in attack.”
Despite the result, Kootingal coach Chris Jarrett was full of praise for his side’s defensive effort, while describing the match as one played in “good spirit and with a positive attitude.”
“Our centre backs Mitch McCormack and Luke Giles continue to impress as the bedrock for our defence,” Jarrett said.
“A shout out to our bench with first time young players from third grade and under 16s answering the call to support first grade. They all ended up with game time in the second half.”
Jarrett lamented his side’s inability to win the individual moments, noting they needed to focus further on converting opportunities when they arise.
“Whilst we can often stay in touch with teams we need to start converting promising passages into shots and shots into goals to secure a win,” he said.
“A focus for the week ahead will be on pressing with numbers in attack to build more goal scoring options.”
Kootingal next week has the bye, while United face fifth placed Moore Creek.
In the round’s other match, North Companions outclassed Moore Creek by four goals including a hat-trick to Zac Walters.
Moore Creek now turn their attention to next week’s match against South United, who sit just one point shy of the mountain goats on the table.
