Soccer
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JOE Crowder was the figurehead of a potent Junee attack who humbled South Wagga 6-0 at Gissing Oval yesterday.
Crowder scored four second-half goals in the win but had numerous opportunities to add to his tally as the Jaguars dominated the match from the start.
Scott Mutimer scored the opener minutes into the game and despite a handful of good opportunities Junee couldn't extend their lead before the break, with good saves from Stephen Burns thwarting further opportunities.
However, the flood gates opened in the second half with Crowder scoring his first after putting away a shot deflected by Burns shortly after the break.
Crowder extended the Jaguars' lead after a South Wagga defensive error put him in a one-on-one with Burns in goal and he was able to put away a shot that rebounded off the goal keepers back.
Crowder completed his hat-trick and minutes later brother Jake got in on the scoring action, sliding in a short pass before Joe scored his fourth to complete the rout.
Co-captain-coach Isaac Cooper had a quiet day in the Junee net but was pleased with how his team was able to respond after falling to Wagga United 2-0 in their return to first grade last week.
"There were improvements all over the ground and there is still a bit to go but it is good to get some points early in the season," Cooper said.
"We need to finish a few more of our opportunities, we had plenty of chances and probably didn't put enough in the net."
Cooper praised the efforts of Joe Crowder in scoring but thought the striker had ample opportunities to add to his tally.
"Joe Crowder is also in the game and will be pretty hard to stop," Cooper said.
"There is still plenty of work to do on the shooting front but it will come as the season goes on."
After being smashed by 11-0 by Tumut last week South Wagga coach Andrew Hull was pleased with the improvements the young team showed.
"It was a great game Junee played really well and we played quite well in the first half and got tired towards the end there and that's when Junee got a few more goals through," Hull said.
"Compared to last week our intensity was 100 per cent better, our goalkeeper Stephen Burns played an excellent game with plenty of saves.
"We have the same kind of set up, didn't change anything but the boys had more fight and more intensity and that's exactly what they needed."
South Wagga will tackle Cootamundra next Sunday while Junee will travel to Temora who lost their first game back in first grade to Tumut yesterday.