By: Lorcan MATHEWS

HISTORY was made at Estuary Reserve in Leopold as new club FC Leopold made its debut in the revamped GRFC Men’s Division 1 league, as the Senior Men’s team pulled on the famous green shirt for the first time ever against Surfside Waves SC.

PHOTO: Leopold's Pranav Madav in pre-season action against Barwon. History was made on Sunday when the new club made its debut at Estuary Reserve (Photo courtesy FC Leopold).

With consistent local support throughout the day, beginning with the juniors earlier in the day, a strong crowd welcomed the newly formed club into the competition with open arms. Neil Cook was put into the Leopold history books, with his strike in the 57^th minute evening the scoreline, however two late goals from Surfside secured all three points away from home.

Leopold secretary Jarrod Larkins was impressed with the attitude the club, fans and players showed towards their inaugural fixture in the Men’s Division 1 competition.

“It was definitely a strong atmosphere, a bit of a change from what we’re used to. The boys were quite nervous to begin with, but to the credit of the lads we kept it at one-one for a long period of the game. Unfortunately, as we are a new club and have only been together for a short while, we had a few chances go the other way, the boys definitely don’t feel that 1-3 loss reflects the game accurately. We focus on next week, and we go again” commented Larkins.

Goalscorers:

FC Leopold - N Cook

Surfside Waves - Mandley, Bassi, Bond

 

Barwon Heads 0 v 8 Barwon SC

WITH the GRFC Men’s Division 1 officially commencing under floodlights at Barwon Heads last Friday night, a strong crowd was in attendance to witness a potentially enthralling fixture between newly promoted Barwon Heads and ambitious title contender Barwon SC.

However, a revitalised Barwon SC, under new first-year coach Dale Harris presented to the competition an immense statement of intent for the 2017 season, with an imposing display of free-flowing attacking football, resulting in an 8-0 demolition of newly promoted Barwon Heads SC.

A physical encounter early on that could have seem multiple cards shown throughout the first half, with Barwon SC going into the half-time break 4-0 up, with much work to be done to rectify their first half mistakes from Barwon Heads SC. Heads most certainly had instructions to intimidate Barwon with some extraordinarily physical challenges that drew the ire of the travelling away Barwon support, however the goals continued to flow, with an 8-0 score line recorded at the final whistle.

A signal of intent to say the least from promotion chasing Barwon SC, with head coach Dale Harris obviously wrapped with the result.

“We went into the game protecting and resting players returning from significant injuries. Credit to the lads who scored, we took 8 of the fourteen chances we created, played the way we train and kept our discipline in a very physical encounter. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season”.

GOALSCORERS:

Barwon SC - Craig Cameron-Smith 2, Hayden Williams 2, Adam Leather 2, Ian Nicholls 1, Ashley Dafter 1.

 

Lara United FC 1 v 0 Geelong Rangers SC

A BAPTISM of fire faced newly promoted Lara United FC in their initial round one Men’s Division 1 fixture against a strong Geelong Rangers SC squad. With the 2016 Grand-Final runners up Rangers looking to start the new season comfortably, they experienced anything but, with an electric atmosphere at Lara Recreation Reserve in front of Lara’s rapturous home support.

A tight encounter, coupled with a strong and vocal crowd, allowed Lara United the perfect start to their 2017 Men’s Division 1 campaign under Hayden Coombes with the home side scoring the only goal of the game.

Lara United FC President Aaron Pettman was understandably elated with the result in Lara’s Division 1 debut.

“The atmosphere around the ground was incredible, the crowd fed off the action on the pitch and to face Geelong Rangers, a typically very strong outfit and come away with a result like that is absolutely brilliant,” Pettman said.

GOALSCORER:

Lara United – (not submitted)

 

Breakwater Eagles SC 2 v 1 Surf Coast FC

WHITE Eagle House played the role of host as Breakwater Eagles welcomed Surf Coast FC on Sunday with two very evenly matched squads commencing their respective Men’s Division 1 campaigns.

A strong Breakwater defensive unit, coupled with a Brendan Duthie goal allowed the Eagles to go into half-time with a slight one-nil advantage, which was soon doubled by Duthie to give Bill Wilson’s squad some breathing space.

Prianto Sidauruk pulled one back for Surf Coast but to no avail, with Breakwater’s head coach Wilson thrilled with the Eagles’ result in their opening clash of the 2017 season.

“The game itself was played in a really good spirit. We had to blood three or four youngsters due to a significant amount of our senior players being out through injury and suspension” Wilson commented.

The Breakwater head coach was full of praise for 2016 Breakwater golden boot winner Brendan Duthie stating “Brendan really is so reliable, he is just so clinical. He was our top goalscorer last season and he’s continued his brilliant form with a brace to start 2017”.

Goal scorers:

BreakWater – Branden Duthie 2
Surf Coast FC – Prianto Sidauruk

 

Drysdale SC 2 v 2 Deakin Ducks

DRYSDALE SC got its season off to a solid start, taking home a point against last season’s Champions and Premiers Deakin Ducks at Howard Glover Reserve. A horror start for the home side, saw Deakin race out to a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes. Deakin’s striker scored a wonderful solo goal after just four minutes, turning and putting a curling shot inside the top corner leaving Chris Alfredson with no chance in goals.

Deakin scored their second from a quick counter attack after a poor pass out of defence. The Drysdale boys got back into the game and hit back with an outstanding team goal, with Danny Graham converting the goal after some delightful lead up play by himself and Rhys Clapp.

The second half saw the home side dominate possession. Drysdale pushed hard for a winner, with a set piece scramble being cleared off the line in the 85th minute with appeals that it had crossed the line turned down by the referee.

A good first up performance but eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw, first year Drysdale coach Jason Pickles was happy enough with his side’s performance.

“A promising start to the year against the champions from last season and we are looking forward to taking on Barwon next week in what will be another tough test,” said Pickles after his coaching debut.

Goal scorers:

Drysdale - Rhys Clapp, Danny Graham

Deakin Ducks – (not submitted)