Cootamundra defeated Tumut in a heated game at O’Connor Park on Sunday.

Cootamundra dominated possession, and consistent attack brought an even spread of goals throughout the game, up 4-0 at half time.

“They got on top both physically and mentally,” Tumut coach Matthew Lopez said.

“It was a character-building performance, hats off to them.”

Attacking midfield player Brenton Forsyth was crucial in Cootamundra’s attack, scoring three goals and working as goal-assist to set up Zac Craw’s second goal.

Craw scored the Strikers’ first goal eight minutes in, beating two defenders and curling it into the net.

A few minutes later, Craw sprinted towards the 18-yard box, kicked it across the goalmouth, and Mark Rogers capitalised.

Cootamundra played the long-ball to its advantage, as Forsyth and Craw were able to out-run most of Tumut’s defenders.

Meantime, Tumut tried to build gradually towards goal without much luck.

“We kept trying to play the ball out from the back,” Lopez said. 

“We didn’t resort to long ball tactics, eventually the results will come our way.”

Forsyth made a number of solo runs, chased by three opposition defenders, but he was outnumbered and his hard work only paid off when his teammates sprinted too.

Tumut’s midfield gave Cootamundra’s midfield the rule of the roost; the dominant side had space to run and pass between one-another.

Both Josh Purtell and keeper Kayne Cassidy played a milestone match for Cootamundra.

In the first half Purtell delivered a corner-kick right into goals, and scored off a deflection.

Purtell had another chance to score in the second-half, dribbling the ball from Cootamundra’s back-line to Tumut’s back-line and chipping it just below the crossbar. But Tumut keeper Matt Casey made an impressive save.

Tensions flared in the second half and a Cootamundra player came off second-best after colliding with Casey. Casey’s boots collided with the attacker’s head, causing an on-field dispute. Cootamundra won the free kick, and diplomatically, Dickinson kicked the ball out.

With 15 minutes to go Lopez subbed himself off after being kicked in the shin. 

The only yellow card of the game was shown to Forsyth, who charged towards a Tumut defender before a free kick as the defender was also running towards the ball.