The first round of matches in the entire CDSFA association was effectively washed out due to incessant rain and unplayable pitches.
Despite this, three matches in region’s top divisions were able to go ahead as they were played on all weather grounds.
Grace Martin Trophy
Balmain A 0-1 Strathfield
Fresh off a mid-table finish last season, Strathfield were hoping to get off to a strong start to the season against a Balmain team which had come up from the division below.
Playing on the impressive Lambert Park surface, Balmain came out hard and fast – catching Strathfield by surprise and making it difficult for the away team to find their rhythm.
It was a very rapid game with both teams having their chances to score: in fact a near flawless display by the Balmain goalkeeper almost secured her team at least a point.
But mid-way through the second half Strathfield found the break-through Pauline Beard scoring from an impressive header off a corner.
From that point on, Strathfield started to grow into the game and Balmain were unable to create the chances needed to equalise.
It was an entertaining game with both teams putting in impressive performances.
Leichhardt Saints 6-1 Balmain B
The six-time defending champions took no prisoners as they defeated Balmain B, 6-1 in the opening round of the Grace Martin Trophy.
Led by a Elissa Sugunananthan hat-trick, a double by Macy Diett and an opening goal by Lucia Gonzalez ensured that Leichhardt Saints opened their premiership defence in the strongest possible manner.
For Balmian, Holly Davine scored in the 87th minute to put the Tigers on the board.
Round 2
Russel Lea v Leichhardt Saints B: 1:45pm Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Park
Concord A v Balmain A: 2:20pm Sunday at Majors Bay Reserve
Cooks River Titans v Enfield: 2:35pm Sunday at Henley Park
Balmain B v Canterbury Juniors: 2:55pm Sunday at Easton Park
Strathfield v Leichhardt Saints A: 3:30pm Sunday at Strathfield Park
Concord B v Hurlstone Park: 4:05pm Sunday at Majors Bay Reserve
Bill Brackenbury Cup
Marrickville 0-5 Cooks River Titans
The opening match of the BBC season was played on Friday night on the Tempe Reserve all weather pitch.
Cooks River had recruited well in the off-season with a number of former professionals and NPL players. Marrickville meanwhile came into the season with a mix of players: half of which had never played in the BBC before.
The opening 20 minutes was very even with both teams looking to test each other out but it was Cooks River who made the breakthrough with a clinical finish by Donovan Papoulias.
Jordy Lee Berg made it 2-0 before half time before Cooks River ran away with it in the second half: Shaquille Philip Ali, Christos Tomaras, and Berg (with his second) all scoring en route to a 6-0 victory.
It was a strong victory for the Titans whereas Marrickville will have to take the positives from a strong opening to the match.
Round 2
Marrickville v Balmain: 8:15pm Friday at Tempe Reserve
Cooks River Titans v Hurlstone Park: 3pm Saturday at Beaman Park
Enfield v APIA Leichhardt: 3pm Saturday at Henley Park
Burwood v LFC: 4pm Saturday at Blair Park
Feature image credit: Photographed with Love
