THE Orara Valley Dingoes bowed out in style, upsetting finals-bound Woolgoolga 2-1 in the Women’s Premier League on Friday night.
Jemma Rigoni did the early damage with a rapid double, slipping through the Wildcats’ defence in the 13th minute before repeating the dose just five minutes later.
Chloe Webb gave the home side late hope with a strike 10 minutes from time, but the Dingoes held firm to sign off their campaign on a high.
Dingoes captain Helen Moseley hailed the effort of her players after what she admitted had been a testing season.
“With 2 draws against Woopi this season already, the ladies knew it was going to be a competitive and challenging game, but one they had an opportunity to win,” she said.
“They were patient when they needed to be, knowing that simple errors could be costly, but still kept a sense of urgency to their game.
“One thing I’m really proud of them all for is how they got out of auto-pilot when fatigue set in, and switched their thinking back to the game plan.
“Firstly, because that’s really difficult to do, and secondly, because they finished so strong once they did.
“As with every other game, the ladies went out to enjoy the match, that’s why they turn up every week, but to get a win to finish what has been a challenging season was absolutely brilliant.”
Despite the defeat, the Wildcats secured fourth spot on the ladder and a place in the finals behind Urunga, Coffs City United and Boambee.
Off the field, Woolgoolga turned the clash into a festival of football, as part of their Lifeline North Coast charity fundraiser.
Junior players revelled in small-sided matches at half-time as the community packed in to cheer on their teams.
By David WIGLEY
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