Henwood Park coach Kyle Doswell wants to see chip-and-chase football obliterated from the men’s first grade competition in Wagga.
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Doswell revelled in the quality of his team’s attack after beating the Tumut Eagles 7-1 at Rawlings Park on Sunday.
“I’m happy with the way we’re attacking, not the traditional Wagga-way,” Doswell said.
“We’re not just kicking the long-ball and running onto it, which is a nice change for everyone to see.”
Henwood Park strikers Sam Thompson, James Murray and Matt Cain worked the ball up the wing towards goal, out-running Tumut’s defenders and putting goalkeeper Matt Casey under immense pressure.
The Hawks scored two quick goals within seven minutes, and looked as though they would go through the game without much resistance.
But Tumut fought bravely, matching Henwood’s intensity for the remainder of the first half.
Tumut’s Jarrod Casey won possession, leading to an opportunity upfront, and Tom Murray contributed in attack.
Outsmarting Hawks goalie Nathan Trinder seemed an impossible task for the Eagles.
But 40 minutes in, Tumut’s top-scorer Bailey O’Neil finally cracked him.
Supporters cheered loudly as O’Neil stood at the goalmouth and received a stunning ball from the back-line with his left foot, smashing the ball into the back of the net.
Henwood Park replied with a goal off a corner-kick just before half-time, bringing the score to 3-1.
It was a Henwood Park goal-fest in the second half, despite best efforts from Tumut holding midfield player Mitch Ferguson, skillful play from centre midfield player and coach Matthew Lopez and opportunistic attack from James Goode.
“We well and truly came back in the second half,” Doswell said.
“Tumut played well. They had a couple of really good players that I’d have in my team any day.”
Meantime, Lake Albert took out Junee at Burns Park in a 7-0 victory on Sunday.
Lake Albert welcomed Henri Gardner back from injury, while Junee struggled without Weir brothers, Travis and Lincoln, who are both sick.
Tolland defeated Northern Riverina Nomads 11-0 at Rawlings Park on Sunday.
Young gave South Wagga a scare, creating a 3-0 buffer in the first half of the game at the Showgrounds on Saturday night. South Wagga mustered a 6-5 win, thanks to Bai Fahnbulleh’s handiwork upfront, without defenders Thomas Mathewson and Tomzin Woyeah.
