Southern Districts win the Frank Broughton Cup

The day began under blue skies (again) and whilst Bankstown defeated Blacktown for their first win of the cup, it was Sutherland that grabbed the first semi final position on offer with a great 2-1 victory over the previously undefeated Central Coast. 
Then we saw Illawarra defeat a plucky Nepean in a match that did not have a bearing on the semis, whilst Granville emerged victorious of Macarthur 2-1 in another very close encounter to grab the second semi berth.
The excitement did not stop there as Canterbury held Manly to a gallant 1-1 draw and Southern Districts accounted for the previously undefeated Eastern Suburbs to the tune of 5-1 and snatched their semi final spot and a chance at Cup glory.
In the final round of preliminary matches Gladesville-Hornsby knew their only chance was to go for goals and that is exactly what they did in defeating Southern Branch 7-0.  For this to enable them to progress, they needed St George to account for Ku Ring Gai, however after giving the Ku Ring Gai boys the fright of their lives, it was Ku Ring Gai that shone through with a gutsy 2-1 victory late in the match.
So our semi finalists were now entrenched and what a couple of semi finals they were.  On Field 2 we saw Sutherland and Granville playing outstanding football for 11 year old kids and after a see-sawing 40 minutes, it was Granville who broke through with a great goal and that was enough to put them into the Final.
At the same time on Field 1 just an intense struggle was unfolding between Ku Ring Gai and Southern Districts.  There were a number of chances for both teams as the match swung from one end of the field to the other, but it was Southern Districts who were able to grab the goal that was so precious and they hung on against a very determined Ku Ring Gai to win 1-0 and progress to a showdown with Granville.
As the sun settled over the wonderful Valentine Sports Park Complex (some of us are going to miss this truly great football paradise so much!) Granville and Southern Districts stepped out to produce what will go down as one of the great Frank Broughton Cup Finals.   
The standard of play from these two teams after four (Granville) and five (Southern Districts) games over three days was exceptional and a credit to both coaches.  Granville took advantage of a free kick in the first half and placed a magnificent shot perfectly under the bar, giving the keeper no chance.  The Granville boys went to oranges leading by the single goal.
Southern Districts came out in the second half and caught Granville napping and levelled the match at 1-1 almost immediately after the restart.  This certainly sparked the match and for the rest of the second half both sides continually searched for an elusive goal to take the match.  With only seconds remaining and the match looking certain for extra time it was the mercurial will of the wisp man of the match, Mario Shabow who darted across the edge of the Granville box and turned a magical left foot shot high into the top of the net, leaving the Granville goalie no chance and giving his Southern Districts team mates victory in the 2009 Frank Broughton Cup Final.
The Presentation Ceremony was highlighted by the attendance of two Directors of Football NSW, Linda Ward and Michael Webber.  Their attendance and presentation of medals to the boys, along with the presence during the tournament of Football NSW Director Robert Waddell,
CEO Michael Quarmby and General Manager Ian Holmes only emphasize the high esteem and level of importance that this tournament is held.
Larry Grant
Competition Secretary