History again repeated at Dixie Park on Saturday when United progressed to the Coastal Premier League southern conference grand final with a one-goal victory.
Eddie Castro-Wade’s spectacular near-post finish from a corner in the shadows of halftime proved the difference as Nathan Wade’s men again proved too good for their cross-town rivals 1-0.
But it wasn’t without some controversy with Saints having an equaliser disallowed in the closing stages due to a foul on United goalkeeper Cam Higham.
Saints coach Darrell Pascoe was understandably disappointed to have another 50-50 call go against him.
“It’s hard for the referees depending on where they are and what they see,” he said.
“Those little things are probably highlighted more when you don’t come away with the result, but if we’re going to get those calls go against us, it’s against United which drives me insane.”
While Pascoe was frustrated to have the goal overturned, he admitted it wouldn’t have been enough regardless.
“A draw wasn’t going to be enough for us anyway; we needed to win,” he said.
United coach Nathan Wade felt his side’s defence was rarely tested with his goalkeeper only required to make a handful of saves.
“I think we left a few goals out there again and we could have killed the game off earlier, but because we couldn’t, that gave them hope that they were still a chance to draw the game,” he said.
“Once we scored, I didn’t think we were ever going to lose; it was just a matter of if they could score and level up.
“It was probably our incompetence in front of goal that kept them in the game.”
In the other match, Macleay Valley Rangers 7 defeated Kempsey 4. Taree had the bye.
Macleay Valley Rangers will host Port United in the conference grand final. The date and time are still to be determined.
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