The victory had great significance as The Scone Mustangs 10 days ago were one of the 135 teams affected by the original decision not to play the final due to wet weather. This meant the first 2 teams on the ladder would play the grand final even though they completed the semi finals.

The team almost missed out on the chance to play in the grand final due to an appaling decision made by the Hunter Valley/Lake Macquarie/Newcastle Association. The Northern NSW Soccer overturned the original decision due to the public outcry that effected over 2000 players who had tasted victory in the minor semi final the week before.

Early in the first half Scone had some concerted attacks on Thornton’s goal and within five minutes Josh Gilmore put one in the back of the net off a short pass from Lachlan Eccles, placing the opposition on the back foot. The game went from one end of the park to the other using great attack and defence skills from both sides, Thornton Park almost scoring twice with the ball bouncing off the post both times, the score staying level. The Scone goalie, Isaac Belfield had to save an onslaught of kicks straight at him. Very late in the first half Thornton Park scored to level scores 1-1.

The second half saw both sides come back on with conviction, Scone attacking with all their might, only to be shut down from some great defence. Making some long concerted runs down the sideline and crossing the ball only to again by thwarted by Thornton. On one occasion, the ball was crossed to find a Thornton player slam the ball into the back of the net for an own goal. (You don’t like to see this happen but it does at all levels, including World Cup). Devastated Thornton retaliated with a barrage of attacks on our goal to be awarded a corner.