Conference League Northern Round 1 Review

Conference League Northern Round 1 Review

Hawkesbury City made it a great week, backing up from their mid-week first round Turf Cup victory over Bathurst, with a 3-1 home win over Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Coach Gary Lewis had the home side pumped as they started like a house on fire, ex-Blacktown youth player Luke Vanderburg scoring in the 4^th minute, with Rob Carle making it 2-0 after just 6 minutes. Jones made the game safe before half time with a goal in the 29^th minute, before a late penalty by Gatt for Magic proved mere consolation for the visitors.
Springwood comfortably accounted for Luddenham United 3-0 on Saturday night at Summerhayes Park, with goals by Densley, Haberman and Lynch.
Bathurst ?75 and Prospect United started their season with a 1-1 draw, Dowling opening the scoring for the home side in the 8^th minute, before Geata replied in the 68^th minute to give the visitors a point to take with them on their long trip home.
One of the best surfaces to play football on, Birchgrove Oval, played host to an opening season rout, Balmain SC taking Penang FC to the cleaners with a 6-1 destruction. Ex- NSL star, Johhny ?jockey? Buonavoglia lead the way with a brace of goals in the 13^th and 48^th minutes, whilst McCormick (5^th & 77^th  mins), Merlino (73^rd min) and Richardson (81^st min) completed the rout. Woodbridge got Penang?s consolation on 75 minutes.
Roosters FC had the bye in Round One, and will look forward to getting their season under way this week when they travel to Magdala Park to play Gladesville Ryde Magic.
-By Frank Speranza