As top Ipswich team misses finals, club’s growth a major positive

Ripley Valley head coach Nick Paterson is looking to build on the club’s major growth after a frustrating end to the Capital League 1 season.

Having set playing finals football as a “pass mark’’ goal, Nick Paterson was disappointed with how this year’s Capital League 1 season ended.

Ripley Valley’s top team finished fifth after cellar dwellers Slacks Creek forfeited Saturday’s scheduled game at Ironbark Park field.

Up until a fortnight ago, Ripley Valley were still a chance of leapfrogging Logan Metro into fourth place behind Newmarket, Pine Hills and North Pine.

However, some late season draws and losses to the top sides denied Ripley Valley an opportunity to continue their season after previously being promoted each year since the club was formed in 2019.

“We probably underachieved a little bit,’’ head coach Paterson said.

He said the stop-start season made it difficult to get on a winning roll.

“We’d get a bit of momentum and then there would be a wet weather break or a Covid break. It just really come at the wrong time for us.

“We set the pass mark was finals football so not what we wanted.’’

Having used 40 players in his top two squads, Paterson would also have preferred to deal with less injuries this season.

“To go on with things, you need consistency,’’ he said.

“I very much doubt we’ve had the same 11 two weeks in a row, which isn’t ideal.’’

Ripley Valley FC head coach Nick Paterson.

Despite his top team falling short, Paterson is keen to return in next year’s revamped Football Queensland Premier League 4 competition.

He has seen some major positives at the club this year including Ripley Valley’s Reserve Grade side qualifying for the finals after a top three finish.

Paterson has also been encouraged by a changing of the guard as some older players prepare to make way for younger footballers gaining first grade experience.

Key players for the future include Samuel Hillier, Danyon Mollee, Jay Burton and Evan Lloyd.

“The culture at the club is really good so we’re happy with that,’’ Paterson said.

“It’s just a matter of bringing in a few new faces next year. Hopefully go better than we did this year and make the finals.’’

With a 40 per cent rise in junior participation, a developing women’s program and the senior men’s teams moving forward, Ripley Valley FC continues to grow in a booming region.

“It’s all progressing nicely,’’ Paterson said.

Ipswich City Council also recently installed fencing behind the goals to improve the South Ripley facility.

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