After a slow start to the first half, Young scored just before half-time, giving them a 1-0 lead. 

Despite a better showing in the second half and several chances at the goals, United were not able to convert and the 1-0 scored remained in favour of the Lions. 

Assistant coach Joe Trifogli said the side was disappointed with the result. 

“We definitely weren’t on from the beginning,” he said. 

“In the first half we were pretty neck-and-neck. 

“We didn’t really have many chances, but then again neither did they.”

With Young scoring just before the main break of the elimination final, Trifogli acknowledged the goal did damage the team’s mindset heading into the sheds. 

“They did have their heads down, but we told them there was still plenty of time and they could still get over the line,” he said. 

“The thing with Young is they are a strong, defensive side. 

“They like to sit behind the ball and just defend, defend, defend.”

United had several opportunities during the second half, but weren’t able to find the back of the net or break Young's defensive wall. 

Better players for United on Sunday were Adam Raso, Erik Listmann, Scott Munro and Dan McKenzie. 

In what was a physical affair, Leeton skipper Joey Fondacaro, Carmelo Trifogli and Raso were issued yellow cards along with Young duo Jordan Callaghan and Patrick Hislop.

This year was a season marked by inconsistency from Leeton United. 

Many flashes of brilliance were shown throughout, but there were also cases of them not performing to their best. 

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“It was definitely an inconsistent year,” Trifogli said. 

“We had that seven-week patch where we just played really well.

“But we were up and down a lot.” With another season now in the can, several senior players could be set for retirement. 

Coaching staff for next year will also not be decided upon straight away. “We have a bit of a debrief with the board and all of that, so coaches will decide what they want to do then,” Trifogli said. 

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