We finally have lift off with the first round of the Bill Brackenbury Cup done and dusted. We give you a comprehensive rundown from all the action from around the grounds.
After a lengthy layoff we were back in action in the BBC Cup. There were no stalemates across the five matches this weekend while there were three teams who managed to keep clean sheets to start off their campaign in the perfect manner.
Balmain DFC – Enfield Rovers 0-1
The new boys on the block were given a harsh lesson in BBC football as they were outdone 1-0 against Enfield Rovers in their maiden clash at Birchgrove Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams were still getting rid of some cobwebs which meant the match was not the most pretty on the eye.
In the end, it was an Adrian Livio goal that settled the contest and handed the Rovers an invaluable three points on the road.
Rovers will be hoping to make it two from two when they travel to Campbell Park next Wednesday while Balmain will be at Callan Park to go head to head against APIA.
Abbotsford Juniors – LFC Sports 0-2
A first match in the BBC competition and a first win for LFC Sports as they ran out 2-0 winners against Abbotsford at Campbell Park.
The visitors could not have asked for a better start to the season as they secured a clean sheet and scored not once but twice against an established BBC side.
Former New Zealand international, Sam Messam, broke the deadlock for LFC before youngster Francesco Giannetto made sure of the points with his strike.
They return to Parry Park on Tuesday night to welcome a Strathfield side who were also victorious in their opening fixture while Abbotsford will be in action again at Campbell Park on Wednesday when they host Enfield.
Hurlstone Park – Cooks River Titans 2-1
Heading to Ewen Park where Hurlstone Park came from behind to beat Cooks River Titans 2-1.
It was the away side who drew first blood in this contest as they went ahead after barely a minute of play.
However, the home side needed just six minutes to reply as they equalised from a pinpoint corner before taking the lead for the first time in the match in the 21st minute.
Cooks River’s goalkeeper put in a man of the match performance as he kept out a Hurlstone Park penalty as well as saving what appeared to be a certain third from a one on one play.
Hurlstone Park will be the ‘home’ side when they meet Marrickville at Pratten Park on Wednesday night while the Titans will be away again as they travel to Ron Routley to take on Inter.
Strathfield – Marrickville 4-2
A goal fest played out at Strathfield Park on Saturday as the home side claimed an impressive 4-2 victory over Marrickville.
Jeff Brennan broke the deadlock for Strathfield with a well-timed header before Michael Rafter made it two to the good for the hosts.
A flurry of chances continued to fall the home side’s way however they were unable to convert them and were eventually punished when Marrickville’s Martin Medina buried his free kick on the stroke of half time.
Strathfield took a stronghold on the encounter after the interval and found themselves 3-1 up thanks to none other than Simon Burke.
A missed penalty for the hosts soon after allowed the visitors a route back into the match which they gladly accepted with a cracking effort from Luis Ramirez reducing the deficit.
However, it was not meant to be for Marrickville as Burke popped up with his second of the contest to ensure that his side secured the win.
Next up for Marrickville will be an away clash against LFC Sports on Tuesday night while Marrickville head to neutral territory at Pratten Park to face off against Hurlstone Park.
Inter Lions – APIA Leichhardt 2-0
Inter Lions got their season off to a perfect start as they recorded a 2-0 win over APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Ron Routley Oval.
The 2020 Grand Finalists were able to add that bit of quality in the final third which allowed them to get over the line.
The action was mainly focused in the centre of the park with an intense battle taking part across the middle third as both sides tried to break each other down.
By CDSFA Communications Officer – Samuel Greco Schwartz
