The Deni Wanderers were unfortunately unable to complete their fairytale finish to the 2019 Griffith & District Football Association reserve grade final.
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In what was their first season as a standalone club since 2008, the Wanderers were beaten 4-3 in the grand final against Yoogali Soccer Club at Yellow Tail Park at Yoogali on Sunday.
YSC got the jump on Deni early, holding a 2-0 lead after 23 minutes.
The Wanderers worked their way back into the game however, with playing-coach Josh Perizzolo scoring in the 34th minute.
Deni leveled the scores at the 41 minute mark when Aaron Piercy finished off an outstanding run by Ben Cooper to see the score at 2-all before half time.
The two sides were deadlocked for the first 25 minutes of the second half before YSC again found the back of the net.
Just two minutes later the sides were again level, with Perizzolo scoring his second for the day to have the scores at 3-all.
Unfortunately the Wanderers would again concede a goal at the 75 minute mark, with YSC holding their one-goal lead until the final whistle.
Despite being on the losing end it was experienced defender Mark Plant who claimed Man of the Match honours in the decider.
"Planty had a ripping match in defence," Perizzolo said.
"He thoroughly deserved the medal, but I'm sure he'd trade it in for a premiership.
"Despite not quite getting there in the end, this year has still been a success.
"Putting a team together at the start of the season, our goal was to just win a couple of games.
"All of a sudden we found ourselves in a grand final.
"Looking at how far we have come from this time last year, you can't complain too much."
Perizzolo said his side was up against it from the kick-off, with YSC having the wind behind them in the first half.
"We had a chance to score in the first minute but didn't take it," he said.
"When we leveled the scores lat in the second half, we knew we were a chance to win but unfortunately we just couldn't get over the line.
"It was a physical game and if I'm honest it wasn't played in the best spirit on their end.
"They were really skilled but dropped players back from the top division.
"These players hadn't played reserve grade all year and all of a sudden we have to play against them.
"There's no rules to say they can't do that though, but it is frustrating.
"Either way, it was a great year for us and hopefully we can continue to build into bigger and better things."