Leeton United fall to Hanwood in Gardiner Shield Preliminary final

After finishing as minor premiers, United needed to bounce back from a defeat to Lake Albert when they took on the Griffith side.

The United side was able to take the lead early through Munyaradzi Kawara however there was a moment of controversy which left coach Rhys Jones frustrated.

"In the first 20 minutes we were brilliant, we stuck to the gameplan and were able to take the lead," he said.

"They got their equaliser because there was a head collision and the referee didn't do his job and stop the game, and the boys stopped, and they equalised.

"The referee admitted later on that he should have stopped it, but it didn't take back the fact they scored from it."

After a tough battle for the remainder of the first half with both sides able to create a few chances but a late fade in concentration saw Hanwood able to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Knowing their season was hanging on the next 45 minutes, Leeton needed to come out strong in the second half.

"I said to the boys at halftime that it is finals and will come down to who wants it more," he said.

"The boys went out in the second half, and they were fantastic, and for their effort, I couldn't fault them. They were the best side on the field by a country mile.

"But unfortunately the ball didn't go in the back of the net quite enough."

Dan McKenzie found the back of the net for United to once again bring the scores back level.

Hanwood was able to find a third however to see Leeton eliminated in straight sets to bring their season to a close.

"It is massively disappointing, but we just didn't convert enough chances across the two finals," he said.

"In both finals games, I feel like we were the better side for the 90 minutes.

"It's majorly disappointing because if the referee doesn't make that mistake and they don't get the equaliser, I don't think they win that game. I think we would have comfortably beaten them."

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