At 10.45am, the Junee women’s Leonard Cup

team took to the field and had the wood on the Tumut ladies.

With a number of new players, Junee’s coach Genelle Keough was happy with the start to the season and saw some great potential in new recruits Nicole Post, Jodie Mitchell and Karinda George.

Junee defeated a depleted Tumut team 8-0 after holding a 6-0 half-time lead.

Three quick goals from Marissa Ward and George in the first 10 minutes set the tone for the game, with the Junee girls dominating possession.

George scored another goal and Bec Reynolds scored her career first goal.

Goalkeeper Jemima Hart was having a quiet time until she was called upon to save from the penalty spot after a handball incident by the defence.

Jessica Smith scored the two second-half goals.

Player of the match points were awarded to newcomer Post, who played a blinder in defence in her first game of football.

Another newcomer, Mitchell, also recorded points, as did Prue Duncan and Reynolds.

The reserve grade game followed the same path with a solid 5-1 victory.

Newcomers to the game, David Dobson and Daniel Halliburton, were granted success, performing brilliantly under pressure and coming up with a few goals, thanks to some tricky footwork and great ball skills.

Other goals came from Jason Mutimer, Ray Jones and Tom Crowder.

Other new faces, Haydn Boettcher and Raymond Booby, had good games.

The team combined well and could have had more goals,

such were the opportunities it created.

Best for Junee were Dobson, Boettcher, Mutimer and Halliburton.

The first graders were met with a tough Tumut side as temperatures dropped and tensions rose.

Both sides showed strength and resilience, but it was the Junee defence that cracked first, leaving the end score 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Junee played good attacking football, moving the ball wide at every opportunity.

The defence from both teams was solid and while Junee conceded a goal, it was the first game with a number of new players.

Best for Junee were Chris Sweeney, Jared Baldry, Fletcher Cook and John McGilvray.

The highlight of the day was stand-in referee, Dr Darren Corbett. Darren did a fantastic job, taking on two fast-paced matches, and the soccer club tips its hat to him.