Caboolture dominate across the board
- Tim Vetter & MMM Photography
- Sep 20, 2016
- 2 min read
Not even the wet weather could dampen the spirits of Caboolture Sports FC supporters on Sunday, as a remarkable first season in the Capital 4 League was capped off with grand final success.
Technical Director Paul Shorter and Senior Men team Coach Nathan Walker made the call before the season began to join Football Brisbane after 20 years playing in the Sunshine Coast league – a decision that proved a masterstroke.
It was rewarded with victories in the over 35 and junior team grand finals (which Shorter played and coached U13 in respectively), but the ultimate prize was to come at A.J. Kelly Park on the weekend as Caboolture took out the Capital 4 League A-grade and reserve grade championships.
The reserves came up against minor premiers Samford Rangers, who they beat in a thrilling penalty shootout in the first week of finals.
It was a much more one-sided affair this time around, with Caboolture dominating in the slippery conditions to run away with a 4-0 win.
The win set the scene for the main event, with the two clubs also facing off in the A-grade final.
Caboolture were hopeful of emulating their late-season 4-2 win over the Rangers, entering the match high on confidence after a 3-0 drubbing of minor premiers St George Willawong in the semi-finals.
“Samford looked threatening on occasions during the first half, but our veteran goalkeeper Jason Shields kept us in the game, as the players took shelter at the break after a goalless first half,” Caboolture coach Nathan Walker commented.
The deadlock continued until the 60th minute, when it was finally broken by the referee’s whistle, with Benjamin Muzyka converting from the penalty spot for his 34th goal, and undoubtedly the most important, of a fantastic season.
The lead was doubled 8 minutes later as a perfectly weighted ball from Tommy Swane found the head of Steven Cleary, who found the back of the net and sent Caboolture fans into raptures.
They held strong in defence, and despite a consolation Samford goal in injury time, finished 2-1 winners to complete a fairy-tale debut season.
“Our club was founded 48 years ago,” said Caboolture Sports FC President Dwayne Sayers. “But it’s safe to say that Sunday will go down in the club’s history as one of its defining moments.”
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