Coach Annette Parkinson set a new structure for her under 12/13s junior soccer team at the start of the season and it has taken them all the way to a grand final.
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The talented youngsters and their supporters will head to Gundagai this Saturday to take on Harden; a team they beat only a fortnight ago.
Whether they can replicate that victory or not, it has been a season to be proud of for the young soccer stars, however Parkinson is certainly giving her troops the belief they need to get the job done.
“We’ve been running a very attacking structure all year,” Parkinson said.
This is evidenced by their strong for and against figures.
The Croplands 12/13s gained direct entry into the grand final when they defeated Harden 2-1 in Cootamundra two weeks ago.
It was the first time this season the team experienced a win over the neighbouring town.
Harden then went on to play the other Cootamundra 12/13s team for a place in the grand final, knocking them out of the competition.
Parkinson put her side’s success on the field down to their ability to put away their opportunities.
The likes of Thomas Elliott, Jack Murphy, Heidi Parkinson and Caleb Elmes have all stood up playing up front to add to the team’s goal tally this season.
They have been well-supported to do their job by a strong mid-field and backline.
“Everyone has had a really consistent year,” Parkinson said.
She is confident that if they hold their nerves and follow their structure, they will leave Gundagai with a premiership.
This follows them finishing the regular season in second place on the South West Slopes Soccer Association ladder.
The youngsters are not resting on their success a fortnight ago and for the past four weeks have been training for an hour and a half each session.
They are continuing to develop their skills and striving to improve with a series of attitudes which is impressing their coach.
Parkinson has a full complement of 15 players available for the grand final.
Game details
Versus: Harden's Coop Butchery Venue: Owen Vincent Oval, Landon Street, Gundagai Kick-off: 10am