NSW Powerchair Football Premier League kicks off in 2021
Valentine Sports Park home to Football NSW played host to the opening NSW Powerchair Football League match on Saturday 20th of February as a revamped competition saw teams from Hills United, Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers lock horns over two divisions of a 15-round season.
Newcastle and Sydney opened proceedings in the Reserve Grade, and while neither team found the back of the net, an entertaining 0-0 draw left both teams with something to take from the match. It looked like the same level of tension was set to follow in the Premier League matchup, with the scores level at the half. But the Jets found their groove with some enterprising team play to run out 3-0 winners thanks to a combination of strong passing and a balanced scoring attack. Captain Dimitri Liolio-Davis provided the final pass for two goals, while three different players, including keeper James Kim hit the score sheet to cap off a dominant second half.
In the second set of games, the Wanderers Reserves started out the stronger of the two teams, with Hills United taking a little time to get warmed up. A sneaky set-play saw Daniel O’Brien grab the lead for the red and black before the half, but the break saw momentum shift. Hills United came out firing, finding an equaliser before looking for a second, but it wasn’t to be. Both teams would settle for a hard-earned point before the seniors took to the field. In the Premier League, it was the Hills who started strongly, converting their dominance into a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to a Chris Suffield brace, before Jacob Cross found a third following the half-time break. Despite working their way back into the match, the red and black couldn’t find a breakthrough.
NSWPFA Treasurer and Hills United coach Peter Turnbull was happy to see the revamped competition kick off once more.
“It was a fantastic day filled with enthusiasm at being able to finally play the sport they love so much, after so many false starts and disappointments in 2020.
“Hills United FC backed their Powerchair team with their Under 10 rep side acting as ball boys for the day, while the Committee, Frist grade players and sponsors all showed up to cheer Hills United on.”
Round 2 on Saturday 27 February sees the Newcastle Jets taking on the Western Sydney Wanderers before Sydney FC take on Hills United in the later matches.
