Hallidays Point footballers Boston Black and Thomas Stenning have helped Mid Coast FC under 13s to a 4-0 win over Broadmeadow Magic in the National Premier League Northern NSW grand final.
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The team also featured former Tuncurry Forster Tigers player Lachlan Drew, now based in Port, who was one of three goal scorers in the decisive win.
Drew said the win was a great reward for all the hard work the team had put in throughout the year with coach Paul Eames.
"The grand final win was an awesome way to finish a great season," he said.
"As a group, we all had fun together and it showed on the pitch."
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Played at Jack McLaughlan Oval in Edgeworth on Saturday, Mid Coast FC entered the decider as strong favourites after suffering only one loss all season.
However, Football Mid North Coast technical director Larry Bugden said Broadmeadow Magic still put up a tough fight.
"It took a while to get on top," he said.
It's a very special group.
- Larry Bugden
Mid Coast FC went to the break with a 2-0 lead but turned things up a notch when play resumed.
"In the second half they never looked like losing," Bugden said.
"I never thought they were in danger."
Bugden said the premiership win was the first for a Mid Coast FC boys team in some time and he believed they would again be a force to be reckoned in 2021.
"It's a very special group," he said.
"We'll keep most of them together for next year."
The players will be eligible for State selection in the under 14s next season and Bugden said he wouldn't be surprised to see a number of them make the cut.
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However, he said their performances on the field were as much a reflection of the hard work and dedication they put in as it was of their talent.
"They train at least twice a week," Bugden said.
"It's a huge commitment for the players and their families."
Given the pandemic's impact on the 2020 season, Bugden said the players would resume training for next year a little later than usual.
"We've told them because it's been such a long season we want them to go enjoy the beach and the sun for a month," he said.
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