IT’S been a tough weekend for Swan Hill’s soccer teams, with the three sides in action handed defeats in their opening matches of the year.
The Swans’ men’s team went up against a strong first-division Shepparton United side for their first taste of league cup action but found themselves on the end of a 3-1 defeat.
Trailing Shepparton 3-0 at half time, the Swans bounced back and scored the only goal of the second half, thanks to their skipper Cooper Fox.
The half-time breather was enough to revitalise the Swans team, as they put in an improved showing in the second half against their out-of-division opponent.
Swan Hill’s women’s side also faced a tough task as they went up against La Trobe University in their season opener on Sunday morning.
Fielding a side that featured six debutantes, the Swans gave their all as they tried to hold off the La Trobe attackers.
After La Trobe scored four goals in the first 20 minutes, the Swans regained their focus to concede only one more goal before the end of the first half.
A much stronger showing was evident in the second half as the side made a number of positional changes to strengthen their defensive structure.
Heidi Annand moved from centre back to further up the field in central midfield while Abbey Houlihan moved from the wing to centre back.
The Swans conceded only two more goals in the second half and were unlucky to have come up against an in-form Courtney Hingston, who scored six goals.
Swan Hill’s youth side were put through a big test in their first match as a team as they were defeated 7-1 by a well-drilled Shepparton United.
Young Swan Faizal Amran was the team’s sole goal scorer as the Shepparton side ran away with the match.
Swan Hill’s youth will travel to Tatura next weekend for their second match while their first home match will come in round three against La Trobe University.
La Trobe will be in action in Swan Hill this weekend as the men’s sides go head-to-head in their first match of the league season.
The women’s side will have the bye this weekend.
