For a long time Justin Kellett's life revolved around golf.
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When he wasn't preparing the fairways in his role as a greenkeeper at the Longyard, he was hitting them, his passion for the game taking him all over the country and even to the other side of the world.
He was lucky enough to on several occasions play in the World Left Handers Championships, travelling to Scotland, New Zealand and Sweden.
But always simmering along in the background was a love of soccer.
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"I've always loved it," Kellett reflected post-match after South United's one goal Northern Inland Premier Division win over Gunnedah FC.
"Always loved watching the EPL and those international competitions."
First pulling on the gold and green as a junior, the 28-year old has had time away from the game at different stages but it has always pulled him back.
This season is his second back after breaking his leg a few years ago.
"It's good to be back playing and running around injury free," he said.
On Saturday he and Jordan Balcombe both slotted braces as Souths withstood a late onslaught to hold on for a 4-3 win.
Just their second win of the of the season they looked to be doing it comfortably at 3-nil up at half-time.
Kellett made it 4-nil early in the second half but Gunnedah hit straight back, and from there the momentum seemed to shift.
Rob Pryor finally converted the pressure Gunnedah were applying to get them back to 4-2 midway through the half.
Souths lead was then whittled back to one and from there it was really just about survival with Gunnedah, as Kellett put it, "throwing everything at us".
They had a golden chance to draw level with about five minutes to go after Harley Cheetham made a surging run down the left and sent a nice cross into Pryor but Souths were able to disrupt.
After being close in a few games but either letting a lead slip or just being pipped at the post after staging a bit of a fightback, Kellett said it was nice to get the result on Saturday.
"The first half we played really really well, which was good to see," he said.
"We've struggled to put a first half together, we've sort of clicked when we've been down by two goals instead of being up."
"It was good to put in 45 minutes and then a decent second half as well."
He is enjoying the season and being part of what is a very young side.
"It's good to play with them they've got a lot of energy," he said.
Elsewhere Oxley Vale Attunga thumped Moore Creek 10-nil with Mitchell O'Keefe slotting five goals while North Companions beat Kootingal 2-nil.
