Premiers winless after early rounds

7 May 2016 ~ Round 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFENDERS : Under pressure from Denley striker Harley Smith (at left), Millthorpe keeper Luke Bingham leaps high to secure a well-placed cross in the latest round of over-35s Orange football competition.

 

The reigning premiers of the Orange over-35s football competition, Millthorpe Tigers, are winless after the first two rounds, held to a 2-all draw by Denley Academicals.

Sporting their new Western Sydney Wanderers-style red and black strip, Denley hit the lead in the opening minute. New signing Saiful Zaimi volleyed the ball from the top of the box to beat the keeper.

Millthorpe striker David Wells showed his in class in reply with a handful of skilled, attacking runs, eventually finding the back of the net to level 1-1.

The Tigers hit the front by half-time when Ash Tucker found himself on the end of another Wells pass to finish.

With a serious shortage of subs, Millthorpe were battling as the second half went on, while Denley’s full bench kept them in the game. It was a back heel shot from striker Harley Smith that leveled the scores, the match finishing 2-2.

In other games, the Barnestoneworth club’s first local local derby of the year saw United looking to continue their great start to the year following their first round victory over Millthorpe.
Brighouse were fielding a new line-up and were starting year for the first time in their six seasons without keeper Stuart Riles, who’s decided to hang up the boots.

United started with a near capacity bench and hit the ground running, controlling possession for the majority of the opening exchanges. Wes Miller had a golden opportunity to score following some great lead up play from United but he managed to hit the post from point blank range.

United keeper Matt Savaro made the first of many great saves, parrying away Brighouse striker Glenn Harpley's curling shot that was destined for the back of the net.
A Brighouse corner found Hayden Trott unmarked and his shot was saved only to drop at the feet of Rich Shields who calmly slotted the ball home.
The second half saw the battle sway evenly until a great United run from Wes Miller found the Brighouse defence napping. A wsell-placed cross found Andy Maguire who netted with a lovely one touch shot.
Brighouse struck back immediately through Nick Hyndes who headed home a loose ball from within the six yard box.
The remaining exchanges were taking their toll on both teams however Brighouse hung on for the 2-1 win.

In the round’s other game, Waratahs Old Boys are yet to notch a win after the first two rounds of the season.

Up against a fresh Gladdyatahs playing their first match, Waratahs found themselves facing a three-nil deficit, before fighting back to level the scores.

But Gladdies finished the stronger to record a gutsy 5-4 win.