A slow start in the 2015 season opener saw Lara go down inside the first 10 minutes of the game. But Lara turned the game around by mounting the pressure back on to Kyneton to ensure they wouldn’t start the season on the back foot. Damien Nasta scored in either half to complete the comeback for Lara and ensure all 3 points were taken on day one.

Whether it was fatigue from the weather, a busy preseason, nerves or another cause, Lara started the game against Kyneton District Rangers slowly, and it showed on ten minutes. The ball was easily allowed both through the midfield and the by standing defensive lines of Lara only ten minutes in to the game, allowing the Rangers to capitalize with ease and take an early lead. Kyneton didn’t slow down and began to dominate the following five minutes before Lara created their first genuine chance of the game through Chol Mangar on 15 minutes. From there, it was end to end with both sets of midfields chasing up and down the field but it was on 30 minutes that Lara strangled the momentum from the Rangers and made it their own. Damien Nasta continued last season’s local league goal scoring form by opening Lara’s account for the season and making the game a deserved 1-1. Nasta was not the only inclusion to the squad for this season to play in the opening round. Chol Mangar, Lochlann McGrath, Daniel Pancic, Luke Wilson and Daniel Pickles were also listed for the match against Kyneton and the bolstering of the squad by coach Dale Harris proved positive.

From the kick off of the second half, the play was dictated by Lara, every ball perfectly delivered and forced into the opposition area with fluency and consistency. The chances coming were unlucky not to go in, with Lochie McGrath having arguably the best chance of the game on 65 minutes. Beating three defenders as he moved from one side of the box to the other, McGrath was left needing to swing his left foot to create his shot; a saved shot resulted, fumbled by the keeper and quickly followed up by McGrath again on the rebound with his second shot whacking the upright. That only made Lara hungrier and on 70 minutes, their reward came. Damien Nasta finished off another well-worked play to give Lara a well-deserved lead. The pressure never eased and the remainder of the game was still dictated by Lara. The margin could have been greater however as coach Dale Harris stated; “(A win is) a very satisfying result… It puts us where we need to be after round 1”

Harris said that his “players played to instructions and we couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

With a high standard having already been set, Harris has noted that the important thing for his players to do is to “maintain the discipline and gather some momentum”

“We are where we want to be after round 1 and now we keep moving forward.”

Lara’s next game is on March 28, away to Sporting Carlton.