Henwood Park completed a big weekend with a 2-1 victory over Cootamundra to start the Football Wagga season.
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After coming through an extra-time thriller in the FFA Cup on Friday night, the Hawks got their premiership defence off to a winning start as well at Forest Hill Oval on Sunday.
Matt Menser was the star of the show.
He scored both goals in the win over the Strikers from free kicks, while he scored the match winner in the fourth round clash against St Patricks in the FFA Cup.
After being locked at 3-all after regular time, Menser scored twice in extra-time including firing in the match-winner to down the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association club 5-4.
Henwood Park coach Ryan McKenzie continues to be impressed with his ability to convert from dead ball situations.
“You would call it a fluke, but he just does it so consistently,” McKenzie said.
“It’s just pure class.”
Henwood Park got off to a perfect start when Menser converted a free kick just outside the box.
They took a 1-0 lead into half-time and with their faster style of platy looked to more likely team to score next but the Strikers levelled things up when Brent Farnsworth scored.
However Cootamundra’s chances took a turn for the worse when Farnsworth was red charged following his challenge on Hawks striker Jake Ploenges.
Minutes later Henwood Park were back in front with another Menser free kick took a deflection before finding the back of the net.
After playing 120 minutes of football on Friday night and braving the hot conditions on Sunday, McKenzie was pleased with how his team
“It was always going to be tough backing up from Friday when we played 120 minutes after a Sydney team in the FFA Cup,” hesaid.
“We knew it was going to be a hard hit out for ourselves and Cootamundra always bring a physical game, especially in the first round.”
After winning a thrilling grand final over Lake Albert last year McKenzie said his team now has a target on their backs.
However he thought they handled the situation well.
“The boys started really, the fatigue definitely set in but we held together and pushed all the way through,” McKenzie said.
“We showed a bit of heart.”
Meanwhile last year’s beaten grand finalists Lake Albert scored a 4-2 win over Tumut to start their season.
Duncan Brodie scored a brace in the absence of Fred and Henri Gardner.
