THE Swan Hill men’s soccer team suffered their first loss in 18 months, going down to Golden City SC at home on Sunday.
The men’s team had gone through last year undefeated and either won or drew the opening three games of this season.
Despite the loss, there were still plenty of positive signs for the Swans, who took the lead in the 22nd minute, with striker Connor Brown finding the back of the net at the end of a Swan Hill counter-attack.
The home side maintained their advantage heading into the half-time break, with an upset looming against the classy and talented Golden City.
Golden City’s Timon Dooley equalised in the 53rd minute, with the visitors taking the lead 15 minutes later with a July Maung Oh Ngwe strike getting through the Swan Hill defence to give the Rams the lead.
It was an advantage they would hold until the final whistle, with the Swans running out of legs in the pursuit of an equaliser.
Men’s coach Tony Di Palma spoke after the loss, and while disappointed that the teams winning streak had come to an end, was also full of praise for his sides’ performance against a high-quality opponent.
“Today’s game against a Division 1 side from last season was always going to be a test for our boys,” Di Palma said.
“We came out in the first half with a game plan to defend with a 4-4-2 formation and counter-attack with long balls, which worked well in the first half.
“I can only mention how proud of the boys I am. We might have lost, but everyone gave 110 per cent attitude and played with their hearts on their sleeves.
“There are a lot of positives to be taken from this game and today showed how good we can be when we work hard and play as a team.”
While the winning streak of the Swan Hill men’s team came to an end, the under-16 boys side continued theirs, with a 2-0 defeat of Kyneton Rangers giving the Swans equal billing at the top of the ladder.
Bailey Johnson and Sonny Tucker continued their good form for the Swans, both players finding the net in a hard-fought win against an organised and determined Kyneton outfit.
The Swan Hill women’s team were also in action at the weekend in the first round of the League Cup competition, with the Swans suffering a 7-0 loss at the hands of Castlemaine Goldfields.
It was a similar score line for Swan Hill’s under-14 girls side, with the junior team going down 9-0 to Golden City in North Bendigo.
