The start to the Tamworth District Football Association season couldn’t have been much harder for Gunnedah FC with a grand final rematch in first grade against last year’s TDFA premiers.
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The 2017 minor premiers rose to the challenge to topple Souths United with a hard-fought 1-0 win.
“A tough start to the year, especially missing Rob Pryor, but we dug in and I thought the defence was excellent,” Gunnedah FC coach Andy Cygan said.
“We lost a few really good players this year, it will be a lot harder but I'm incredibly excited seeing some of the young ones at training.”
It wasn't plain sailing as Gunnedah FC were on the back foot for most of the game after missing a few chances early on.
Returning player Michael Cooke tried a nice lob when clean through only for the keeper to get to it. Then Crowhurst broke free but shot wide.
It was Crowhurst, standing in for unavailable top-scorer from last year Rob Pryor, who got the only goal of the game after gambling on a high ball into the box before half-time.
In the second half, a solid back four of Whitten, Davis, Silver and Sardinha stood firm to keep a very good Souths team out.
In reserves, the new-look Gunnedah FC side went down 7-2 but there were plenty positives for new coach Alexzanna Budge.
She had 16 players available with only four that played last year.
It was clear in the first half that these players hadn't played together which led to a 4-1 half-time score.
The promising part of the opening stanza was Kaleb McIlveen’s goal on debut just before half-time with a cool low finish.
In the second half players were still getting to know each other yet Nathan McDonald scored the goal of the game with a bending finisher from the edge of the box.
Budge wasn’t too deterred after the game. Instead, she was excited for the upcoming matches.
“Jayden Thomas and Nathan McDonald were standouts plus the defence of Pengilly, Auld, Manley and White battled throughout despite the result,” Budge said.
“This is work in progress and we'll be judged at the end of the comp but the future looks bright.
“I'm super excited to see what happens.”
Cygan was equally interested into what the future holds for reserve grade side and the club.
“Alex will have her hands full with so many players in reserve grade but I think she'll get them a top four finish and contribute to build for the future,” Cygan said.
“We have 30 players registered, we’re part of an excellent club here with the junior association and couldn't be happier.
“It's a pleasure to be part of this development in town.”
The Gunnedah United Hawks started the 2018 Tamworth District Football Association season with a tough away trip against North Companions.
In first grade, United went with Companions for the first half.
Harley Cheetham scored a goal for the Gunnedah side to see the score read 1-1 at half-time.
However, in the second half North Companions managed to grab two goals to take a 3-1 win.
In reserve grade, the Hawks had no luck either.
They went down 5-2 in a high-scoring affair.
Joel Schwenke wreaked havoc for Northies with a hat-trick. Luke Toombs and Dylan Lugli both found the back of the net for Gunnedah in the loss.
The Gunnedah United Hawks will take on Hillvue Rovers this Saturday at the Geoff Morgan Fields.