Moree Services Football Club hosted its first home derby of the season, with Moree 1 taking the points against their clubmates Moree 2.
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Moree 1 came out of the sheds firing, scoring two goals in the opening 20 minutes to take a 2-0 lead through some strong, possession soccer, both goals going to Darrel Smith.
With both teams low on numbers, fatigue quickly became an issue, and when Moree 2 managed to get 11 players on the field after only starting with 10, they were able to work their way back into the game, scoring two goals to go into half time all tied up.
The second half produced more of the same, both sides having their chances before Smith scored his third goal of the day with around 10 minutes remaining and Moree 1 were able to hold on for a 3-2 win.
"Our side talked about getting back to basics (at half time), getting control of the ball again," Moree 1 coach Darrel Smith said.
"We gave up possession way too easy and that's why they scored against us."
"It was a pretty nice, tight game in the second half and anybody could've run away with the points."
Smith mentioned Lachlan Cavanagh as one of his side's strongest, setting up two goals from the midfield and another from a corner.
"Our centre back Adam Ha played really well in trying to control the defence," Smith said.
"Our goalie, Will Hawker in the second half, he came out and cut down a lot of their attack."
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Smith said his side are still working on their combinations as they still haven't been able to put the same side on the field yet, as well as working on that ball control that let them down in the first half.
"It's something that we normally do really well over the last few years. It just cuts down the opposition's chances to score," he said.
Moree 2 coach Matthew Urquhart said his side was probably too relaxed taking the field, starting the game fairly sloppy.
"Once we got into our groove, though, we looked really bloody good," he said.
"In the second half we were unfortunate not to get a few goals in. Part of that was Will Hawker (in goals).
"He kept us out in that second half. I think if he wasn't on his game we would've put another couple in the net, but otherwise we played rather well."
Urquhart said his side's fitness let them down at times, which is something they will continue to work on.
"I think we moved the ball around well. Communication was a bit off once we started to get tired which comes back to fitness. Otherwise we did well.
"Joe Coleman won a lot of ball in the middle of the park against some strong midfielders. He did really well winning that ball for us.
"Justin Politis did the same, they were quite strong in the middle of the field."
Moree 2 now has the bye while Moree 1 will host Wee Waa United for their first meeting of the season.