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HISTORY repeated in the 2014 finals series for Leeton United, going down to Yoogali FC and being knocked out of the Billabong Cup competition.
Making the 2-0 defeat last Saturday even more galling for coach Mitchell Clay was his belief that Leeton had been the better team on the night, but lacked composure.
Clay said going into last season's final the team was rightly an underdog, but in 2014 they had shown the goods all season to stay alive in the finals.
"Comparing it to last year ... this year we were the better side," he said.
"We had the most chances, had a goal disallowed, missed a penalty. There was not much more we could have done."
The first half of the game was an even contest and United went into the second half confident.
"We were awarded a penalty and we missed it," Clay said.
"Then they scored and got on top. From then on it became a challenge and they got the momentum. We had numerous one-on-one opportunities."
Clay felt the desire to win compromised skills on the night as his side tried to attack at every opportunity, particularly in the second half when YFC had a man sent off.
"It was in our favour and then they scored their second," he said. "It just wasn't happening for us.
"At 2-0 down we managed to score, but it wasn't awarded."
United had the services of its Sydney-based registered players, but the team put in an overall good performance without luck.
Overall, Clay couldn't fault his side's season having made the semi-final of the State Cup and the finals of the league.
"It's just a shame we couldn't get over that final hurdle," he said. "We are more gutted because we know this year we should have won. Just like the semi-final in the State Cup.
"We should have won both of them, but that's just soccer."
Clay expects to see Hanwood and Yoogali SC face off in the grand final, although he knows both teams are beatable and in a final anything can happen.