DOUBLES to the experienced Justin Curran and newcomer Matthew Kleine helped Lake Albert start the Pascoe Cup season in winning fashion on Sunday.
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The new-look Sharks were up against it as Tumut worked their way to a 2-1 lead midway through the second half.
Enter Curran, who firstly helped Lake Albert draw level with a powerful strike from a free kick, albeit with some help from a fumble from Tumut goal keeper Matthew Casey.
Only minutes later, Curran won a scramble on the goal line, managing to get the ball across the line to hand Lake Albert a 3-2 lead.
Kleine, who scored Lake Albert's only first half goal, then put the icing on the cake with a clinical finish just seconds before full-time.
It was an at-times fiery encounter between the two teams, with Casey throwing the ball and hitting Lake Albert recruit Levi Hughes in the head after a verbal exchange following one of the goals.
Lake Albert co-coach Kyle Harrison was pleased to see his team stand up when it counted.
"We were a bit unlucky early with a cheap goal going in," Harrison said.
"The boys were on the back foot pretty early but they settled down and started to push the ball around the park and it was good. We got back in the game early and didn't let it get too carried away otherwise it could have turned pretty nasty I suppose.
"We went into the second half thinking we should be alright and had plenty of chances but just couldn't finish them. It took a while but we got there.
"It's a new side, especially with some main key players that are into the team now. It's good that they put at least the last 15 minutes together and got back in the game and prevailed."
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The addition of Jaiden Watson, Kleine and Hughes gave Lake Albert a new look in attack and much more spark than last season.
Harrison likes the way they shape up.
"They compliment what we're trying to achieve," he said.
"Hopefully it's the start of a good season. It was good to start with a good, tough win."
Earlier in the game, Tumut's Jay Casey did everything he could to ensure his team started the year with a win. He put the Eagles 2-1 up with a sharp goal and then produced a brilliant goal-saving tackle at the other end.
PASCOE CUP - ROUND ONE
Hanwood 3 d Henwood Park 0
Leeton 11 d Tolland 0
Wagga United 3 drew with Cootamundra 3
Lake Albert 4 d Tumut 2
Young 4 d South Wagga 1
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