Tolland have brushed aside the sting of last weekend’s 6-2 loss to Lake Albert with a thrilling win over Tumut to keep their top-two hopes alive.
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The Wolves emerged 4-3 victors after a see-sawing tussle but were made to work hard against a dogged Eagles side.
Wolves striker Jaiden O’Brien played a starring role on Sunday, bagging a first half brace before completing his hat-trick midway through the second half.
Tumut drew first blood at Rawlings Park after James Goode blasted a contender for goal of the season to put the Eagles up 1-0 in the early exchanges.
The first half was played a blistering pace with both goalkeepers kept busy by a flurry of scoring opportunities.
Neither side could break the deadlock until a magic touch from O’Brien opened Tolland’s account.
O’Brien pounced on a long ball and wrong-footed Tumut goalkeeper Martin Canteros Paz before slotting the goal just inside the left post.
Tumut’s Mitchell Goode then traded goals with O’Brien, the former striking sweetly into the top-right corner, as the sides locked horns at 2-all.
Brett Wendt was next to strike for Tolland, putting the Wolves ahead 3-2 midway through the second half.
Tumut pressed hard for an equaliser but failed to meet their mark as O’Brien capitalised on turnover possession and put the hosts two goals ahead.
A pumped-up Eagles redoubled their assault on Tolland’s defence, Will Goode leading the charge and creating plenty of chances.
Tumut’s efforts paid off when Reece Mastellotto slotted the visitors third late in the piece but it was too little too late as the Wolves saw off an injury time flurry to seal the win.
Injured Tolland captain-coach Daniel Lawrence admitted to sideline nerves during the dying seconds but applauded his side’s efforts against the Eagles.
“I was pulling my hair out a little but I’m really proud of the way the boys played,” Lawrence said.
“I would’ve preferred being out there myself rather than watching – it’s tough looking on from the side, but I’m pleased with how we bounced back from last week and it’s put us in good stead for the games to come.”
The result sees Tolland retain second place behind undefeated Lake Albert on the Pascoe Cup ladder while Tumut continues to fight it out for finals contention with fellow mid-table sides Leeton and Cootamundra.
