Dylan Grandfield’s last goal of the NWFA qualifying final was the decider in Motton Preston’s four-point defeat of the more fancied Wesley Vale, in an entertaining contest, at Maidstone Park, on Saturday.
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Trailing by two points approaching time-on in the last quarter, Motton Preston surrendered the lead for the first time only minutes earlier when Tristan Weeks kicked his fourth goal to capitalise on Wesley Vale’s momentum.
But not to be outdone, Motton Preston worked the ball forward, only for Jai Wells’ kick for goal to land well off target.
Unperturbed, his team mates harassed the Wesley Vale defence and forced the ball into the goal square where Grandfield opportunistically put boot to ball for a scrambling goal.
Then with time ticking away, the underdogs defended grimly to win 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74).
Earlier Motton Preston seemed on the verge of a big win, their tenacity and flowing style of football keeping the Vale goalless well into the second quarter and leading by 43 points.
To the reigning premiers credit, however, they noticeably lifted after half time, to not only claw back the deficit, but also momentarily snatch the lead.
After their gritty win Motton Preston’s next assignment is a semi – final against the minor premier Forth, and Wesley Vale’s opponent will be the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between East Ulverstone and Spreyton.
