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THE monkey has well and truly been knocked off United’s back with a spirited 3-0 win over Wombats.
“It’s a bloody relief,” United captain James Foster said after the game.
“We came in with the monkey on our back from last year’s grand final but the boys dug deep all game.
“Wombats threw everything at us but we held strong and came through with the goods at the end.”
United’s last premiership was in 2008 and they’ve been runners-up twice since, including last year when they were defeated by Wombats.
The game started briskly with both sides running hard and matching each other at either end of the pitch.
There were a host of chances and near misses as both teams looked to exploit their attacking wings, but a late first half goal by Tim Jones tipped the balance of the game in United’s favour.
“We seemed to have better legs in the second half,” Foster said.
“We do try to open teams by going wide and coming in as late as we can, we back our short corners too and two of those came off.
“We were lucky enough they let us play our own game.
“We did have to work hard for it but once we got that first goal we could settle down and made them panic a bit.”
Second half goals came from Henry Macqueen and Matt Sawyer, while goalkeeper Scott Anderson made several last-ditch saves to deny Wombats.
“It’s team work — we’re a strong team and that’s what kept us at the top all year,” Foster said.
“We don’t have a weak link on the team, and Scotty (Anderson) has had a blinder in the second half of the season and a clean sheet in a final is great too.”
The inclusion this year of Wagga brothers Dylan and Stuart has also given depth to United, with Stuart named best player of the final.
The match topped a successful weekend for Hockey Albury Wodonga.
“The game’s growing and it’s in a very healthy state right now,” events director Tony White said.
“We support nine clubs across the region and it’s bringing people together which is great for hockey.”