It was a game of cat and mouse right from the get go, but unfortunately for United, it was Hanwood that came away with the chocolates. 

Their opposition came back from a one-goal deficit at half-time to win 3-2 at EW Moore Oval on Sunday.

Leeton took the lead for the first time at the 18-minute mark when Frank Alampi rose above all others to head home a goal.

The score remained the same until Jordan Beltrame found the back of the net at the 65-minute mark.

Six minutes later, United regained its lead when a pinpoint cross found Jason Bowe who headed the ball over the keeper into the back of the net.

Hanwood FC reacted quicker this time around.

Daniel Agresta played a ball along the ground from the left side of the box and Jonathan Favero slammed the ball home with about 10 minutes left on the clock.

Favero was in the action minutes later when he reacted to a tackle by lashing out with his leg and has given his second yellow card of the day.

The resulting free kick was sent into the box by Jacob Zanatta.

Leeton goalkeeper Anthony Mandaglio couldn’t control the cross and Agresta put Hanwood FC in front for the first time in the match.

Leeton had a similar chance just minutes later but Hanwood FC’s scramble was good enough to prevent a goal.

From there, Hanwood saw out the victory.

United coach Scott Munro said the side was disappointed with the result. 

“I thought we played a really good first half … it was the second where we let ourselves down,” he said. 

“We didn’t come out firing, so we couldn’t keep hold of the lead we had. 

“They scored a couple of lucky ones and we made a few silly mistakes.”

However, Munro was still pleased with the side’s efforts. 

“I’m very proud of them for the season they’ve had and for making the grand final,” he said. 

It was a solid year for United, with both first grade and the under 18s both making the preliminary final. 

In more good news for the club, Adam Raso was named the league’s best and fairest player in the first grade competition. 

Raso, who was a key component of the Leeton United side which made it all the way to the preliminary final, was quick to credit his teammates for all of the hard work they have put in this season.

“It’s great to be recognised like this but realistically you can’t do much without a good team,” he said.

“We had a great team this year and it was unfortunate that we couldn’t make it to the grand final but I think that there is still plenty that we can be happy about in terms of our performances.

“We all got along and played really well together. We trained hard and really wanted it this season.”

Raso finished with 14 goals – including a hat-trick during the season – which left him third on the goal-scorers list behind Joseph Preece of Yoogali SC and Jordan Lando of Hanwood FC who scored 18 and 19 goals respectively.