A dominant second half has seen Parkes United men triumph over Bathurst Souths at Stephen Davies Field last Saturday.
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While unable to convert all their chances in the first half, United came out firing in the second to run out convincing winners 4-1.
Jack Elliott’s second half hat-trick will now see Parkes travel to Lithgow to take on the Panthers who lost 2-1 to St Pat’s in Bathurst.
After enjoying the run of play from the outset, United opened the scoring with a good individual effort from Hamish Orr.
Parkes continued to threaten with Elliott hitting the post twice.
As the half progressed, Souths began to come to terms with the pace of the United attack which had become too direct and a bit narrow in their eagerness to add to the earlier goal.
Souths levelled the scores against the run of play after capitalising on an error at the back by United.
The ensuing arm wrestle saw neither side able to add to their tally before the break.
Despite the first half finishing with honours shared, United played a more expansive structure to dominate the second stanza and will carry that momentum forward into this Saturday’s clash.
Elliott cleaned up the scraps to put United ahead, slotting the ball into the net after a rebound of the keeper’s pads.
His second goal came after some excellent work down the left before Elliott ran the ball along the backline and slipped it past the keeper for 3-1.
A drag flick from a penalty corner was the icing on the cake for Elliott’s hat-trick and for United to end Souths’ season.
Captain Kieren Deland was happy with his side’s second half.
“We were clinical in the second half and it showed on the scoreboard,” Deland said.
“We probably got a bit narrow in the first half and made it easier for Souths to defend.
“We made an effort to play wider after the break and we really hurt them that way.
“We had chances in the first half and could easily have gone to the break up three or four nil.
“As it was, one slip up and they were in and instead of being in total control of the match, we were in a real dogfight.
“The second half showed what we are capable of and we will need more of that next week.
“We knew whoever we play (St Pat’s or Panthers) it is going to be tough.
“We will travel to Lithgow next week knowing we will have to give it our all if we want to make it through to the grand final the week after.
“It’s going to be tough but we are up for it,” he said.
