Quality matches close out season

The Broome soccer season concluded with four high-quality games, as new champions in both the men and women’s divisions were crowned.

In the men’s competition, a grand final clash between table-toppers Meatworks and closest rivals Pearlers ended in a nail-biting penalty shootout, with the latter holding their nerve to take the spoils.

Meatworks went into the game having not lost against the side in white during the regular season and were coming off the back of a big win over Racing Guantanamo the week prior.

In an even encounter, both sides had chances to break the deadlock, with a collective feeling that one goal may well have decided the game given how even the teams were.

The match was fiercely contested, with every ball fought for and Meatworks veteran Mike Doyle being booked for a late tackle.

Pearlers looked to get the ball down and play but found their opponents a tough nut to crack in the final third.

Meatworks looked like a constant danger on the counter-attack and showed skill with a number of nutmegs in central midfield, with Ray Meinsma and Will Nolan both having chances to win the game.

At the final whistle the game ended 0-0, with the clash going to a penalty shootout.

Both Dan Rigg and Jered Seivenpiper missed from 12 yards in a cruel irony given that they were two of Meatworks’ best players this season.

Despite Matt Jarvie performing admirably in the Meatworks goal, Pearlers Ben Conneally scored the decisive striketo give his side victory.

Meatworks wasted little time in reinforcing for next season, with the signing of experienced head Michael Dawson just days after the final.

In the third-fourth place play-off, Broome City had too much pace and quality for Racing Guantanamo and won a one-sided affair 4-1.

Will Oakley played well for a team that looks like it could do damage next season as their young stars develop.

For Guantanamo it has been a campaign to forget, with the bottom side looking to regroup and come back stronger in 2016.

In the women’s competition, Broome City were crowned champions after an emphatic 5-0 victory over Meatworks.

The side in light blue started slowly this year but have been in irrepressible form in recent weeks to fire themselves into the grand final.

Despite Meatworks finishing top of the league, City had too much poise on the ball and took the spoils.

In the third-fourth play-off, Racing Guantanamo edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3.

Goals from Laurie Achille, Emily Gabb and Natalie Johns were not enough for Pearlers, with Rosie Portbury scoring an incredible quartet of strikes to give her side victory.

The association had its end of season wind-up at Pearl Luggers on Saturday night, with the winning teams lauded and individual performances hailed.

In the men’s competition, starlet Wiley Scott took the player of the season award, beating one of his Meatworks team-mates and Sean Minouge to the prestigious accolade.

The feat is made all the more impressive given Scott’s young age and the fact it was the teenager’s first season in senior football.

Minouge was the campaign’s leading goalscorer with ten strikes, beating Scott and Ray Meinsma to the golden boot.

In the women’s competition, Portbury was handed the player of the season award, beating Maddie Chandler and Sophie Moore to the spoils.

Chandler headed the goalscoring charts, with her 15 strikes enough to earn top spot.

With the Broome Soccer Association being nominated for club of the year at the upcoming Broome Sport Awards, president Sarah Mullineux said 2015 has seen the sport progress.

“BSA has had a massive 2015 with all programs growing,” she told theBroome Advertiser .

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the players, parents, students and volunteers who have contributed to making Broome Soccer Association programs the success it has been this year.

“With over 17 people on the committee it is truly is a team effort to ensure everyone has an opportunity to play.”