Lake Cathie Football Club are the 2019 Northern League Grand Final winners after achieving a victorious 2-1 full-time score in a close contest against the Upper Macleay Yowies.
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It's the club's first title since 2010 and the team last played in a grand final in 2015.
Coincidentally it was the Yowies that Lake Cathie played in the 2015 grand final, with the Yowies coming from behind to win 2-1 that day.
On Saturday, August 31 the Lake Cathie team was backed by a strong contingent of away supporters who made the journey to South West Rocks.
Lake Cathie started the game strongly, controlling possession and creating a number of chances in a dominant first-half performance.
The team went into the half-time break happy with their performance and confident they could go on with the job in the second half.
However, the Yowies soon capitalised on a chance to take a 1-0 lead.
This disrupted the flow of the Lake Cathie team and the Yowies started to take control of the game.
With some tactical substitutions, Lake Cathie slowly got back in to the game and they equalised with 15 minutes to go, after a Rob Hawken cross was bundled over the line by Ben Monaghan.
This spurred the team on to continue their attack with their hard work and possession finally paying off.
Dylan Schultz emphatically converted a penalty at the 70 minute mark.
The team then held on to secure the title, their first since 2010.
Club President Troy Pemberton said it was a great result and a fantastic day for the team and the club.
"The boys really appreciated the support they received from the crowd," he said.
"We'd like to thank South West Rocks Football Club for hosting, the match officials for ensuring a fair game and the Yowies for their part in a great football match and for being the minor premiers."
In the elimination final on August 24 Lake Cathie defeated Port Saints 2-0 at Findlay Park, Port Macquarie.
Cheered on by their enthusiastic supporters, Lake Cathie FC went in to the half time break with two goals, courtesy of a Will Rogers' tap-in and an unfortunate own goal.
In the second half the team repelled the efforts of the Saints' team and held on for a much-deserved win.
Club president Troy Pemberton said it's great to see how far the team has developed over the last couple of years.
"Last year, Port Saints pipped us at the post with a last-minute goal to secure their spot in the grand final," he said.
Visit the Lake Cathie Raiders Football Club Facebook page for information.
