Saturday was a spectacular display of football at the Whitsunday Sports Park in what was effectively a season opener for several Whitsunday United senior teams.
Showcasing the new, bright orange playing kit, seven Whitsunday teams took to the field to battle it out with City Brothers in perfect playing conditions, utilising the new Sports Park grandstand, change room facility and two canteen outlets showed the potential of the facility to not only present sports to the public but host spectators in significant numbers as well.
A surprise appearance by Matilda’s head coach Tony Gustavsson added to the carnival atmosphere.
The U14 Premier team was first up and played a solid game, although failed to capitalise on a few opportunities and their full potential. Nervous parents crowded the sideline the whole game until Max O'Keefe scored a cracking long-range goal from a free kick.
The U16 squad put in a strong effort to keep the big City Brothers team scoreless at half time. The second half saw them concede three, with the team disappointed they couldn’t kick into gear on the day despite some great passages of play and goal scoring opportunities.
Both the Men's and Women's Division 1 squads went down in their respective matches.
The newly formed Men's squad are still working on cohesion, whilst the Women were narrowly defeated 1-2, despite scoring first; a great effort for a young squad on their first hit out.
The Reserve Men’s side faced up against a strong Brothers, and the game came to a head in its closing stages. Around the 80th minute, new signing Mike McCann led some quick passing moves before bursting between two defenders and into the box. Calmly, McCann slotted it past the keeper into the far post to win the game 2-1.
Our senior Premier teams brought home the points, both taking solid wins.
The Premier Women opened the scoring in the first minute with Sari Goodall outpacing the defence and then scorching it past the keeper. The Whitsunday Women played well and never looked troubled, however, City's determination kept them within striking distance the whole game.
A result of 3-2 was a good win for the girls, with Sari Goodall scoring two and Willow Gaffney one goal.
The Premier men wasted no time in their demolition of the City Brother's squad. Harry Hodgen openened his account for the season with an early goal on his way to a four goal haul. Six other players added to the total with the Whitsunday team winning 10-2 giving the rowdy home crowd plenty to cheer about and celebrate.
Contributed with thanks to Allan Milostic
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