WAGGA United started its Pascoe Cup defence in the best possible fashion with a 2-1 victory over a highly-fancied Henwood Park at Rawlings Park on Sunday.
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A double to United teenager Jordan Heise proved the difference as he headed home the winner midway through the second half to seal the opening round win.
Wagga United coach Travis Weir was not getting carried away with his team’s performance but will take the points.
“It was a good result for us but we didn’t play very well and the boys realised that themselves,” Weir said.
“We’ve got a brand new side this year, we only had three from last year’s grand final playing today, and we haven’t really been concentrating on structure, we’ve been concentrating on fitness.
“So we went in a bit blindfolded and I’m happy with the 2-1 result.
“It was a slugfest but we came out on top.”
Heise scored the opener 20 minutes in to put United in front, but not for long when Jake Plonges equalised before half-time.
Weir tipped big improvement from Wagga United.
“Henwood Park is a good little team and have got some handy players,” he said.
“We’ve got to get around our side and structures, we were a bit all over the place.
“We’ve got some experience there but not many have played the shape we play.
“I think the boys know we can be a hell of a lot better.
“There is a lot of posiitves there, but a lot to work on. Hopefully we’ll improve.”
Apart from Heise, Zac Johnston, Adam Holmes and goalkeeper Nathan Trinder were very good for United.
The win did come at a cost, with defender Hayden Bennett going down with ankle injury.
It prompted Weir to criticise the playing surface at Rawlings Park, labelling it “not good enough”.
Wagga United still have several players to come back into the team, including former player Addison Hamilton, who is set to move back to Wagga.
Meantime, Young Lions made a big statement in their opening Football Wagga fixture with a 14-1 thrashing of Temora.
The Lions had been playing in the Bathurst District Football competition for the past seven years.
An inexperienced Tolland team came from behind to upset Cootamundra 2-1.
Other winners were Junee over South Wagga and Lake Albert over Tumut.
Full-time
Round one results
Tolland 2 d Cootamundra 1
Wagga United 2 d Henwood Park 1
Young Lions 14 d Temora 1
Lake Albert 3 d Tumut 1
Junee 2 d South Wagga 0