Port United will look back on their 3-1 Coastal Premier League Men’s reserve grade grand final loss to Coffs City United as a missed opportunity.
The Port Macquarie club had a handful of golden opportunities to cause an upset, but an inability to convert cost them dearly.
It was a similar story for their first grade counterparts throughout large portions of the season, but first grade manager Tony Raymond said the club was content to make the decider.
Even if it didn’t make the loss hurt a great deal less.
“Of course everyone’s disappointed (because) you don’t get many chances to play in grand finals so it’s disappointing for the boys and the coaches,” he said.
“We’re not disappointed at the players by any means, it’s just no-one likes to lose a grand final.”
Eoghan Barltrop’s first half strike saw United well in the game at halftime when they went in at 1-all although Noah Carter’s last-second shot at goal in the shadows of the break could have changed the outcome.
The Lions dominated large portions of the second half, but United also had a chance to level things up at 2-all with about 20 minutes to go.
It just wasn’t their day.
“We definitely had our chances, but couldn’t convert them and Coffs played well so you can’t deny that,” Raymond said.
“Our boys played well, just it wasn’t their day.”
Raymond said co-coaches Brett Swain and Matt Lacey had done a good job with the side throughout the season.
“The boys put in 110 percent effort, there’s no question about that but unfortunately Coffs were the better team on the day.”
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