Both senior men’s teams had a good hit-out at home on Sunday, March 29. Division 1 took on near-neighbours Daylesford while Division 2 played Creswick. Both games produced close score lines and some tasty attacking football on the hard and fast Soldiers Memorial Park pitch at Chewton.

Division 1

The Division 1 match started in a flurry with the Maine’s dynamic Gabes, Gianni and Lillington, combining for the latter to score from an opportunity created by the former after five minutes. Within a few minutes, Daylesford equalized from a goalmouth kerfuffle.

Gabe G. was a live wire up front for Castlemaine all game, charging around the attacking half with zest, skill and intent. He provided a strong and mobile target whose work helped bring fleet-o’-foot youngsters such as Sunday Lam, Ben Adams and Taro Muller, not to mention Peter Pan himself, Jono Burris, into the game.

But it was at the end of a dogged, nimble-footed solo run through and around a forest of Daylesford defenders that Gabe G. produced a cracking medium-range shot to score the Maine’s second.

Both teams added a second half goal to a half-time scoreline of 2-1, thus giving Castlemaine a 3-2 win.

Daylesford’s goal after the break was scored by a former Maine player, Bear Hackenburger, after the ball ricocheted off the legs of Castlemaine defender Oscar Wood. The Maine’s goal, however, needed no such good fortune. Sunday Lam zipped into space and sumptuously timed a left foot shot across the goalkeeper into the top right corner.

The energy, pace and attacking flare of Sunday, Ben Adams, the two Gabes, Taro Muller and Connor Bethune at left-back was highly encouraging, promising as it did, plenty of excitement in the season ahead. Supported by “old” heads Jono Burris and Angus Maclaren in midfield, and Brendan Connelly in goal, the team looks capable of springing a few surprises.

Division 2

Co-coach Gilbert was not unhappy with a 1-2 loss against Creswick, noting the absence of regular players, including reliable defender Nathaniel Muller (injured) and captain and co-coach Jim Kourkoulakos (promoted to Division 1), and some promising passages of passing and cohesive teamwork.

Dan Park celebrated his move to the big time from the anonymity of Sunday morning kick-arounds at the Sunken Oval by scoring the team’s only goal. Midfielder Deano the Chippy was as feisty and committed as ever, Hugh Feary looked threatening up front at times and Otto Van Pagee Anderson’s vision and long passing opened up play from the centre of the pitch.

Both teams have the Easter weekend off before commencing Round 1 of their Ballarat & District Soccer Association season at home against Vic Park. Division 2 kicks off at 1.00 p.m. and Division 1 at 3.00 p.m.