Castlemaine Goldfields Division 1 men notched up their second victory in as many games, this time over one of the league’s top teams, Victory Park.

After dominating play for the first 45 minutes at Soldiers Memorial Park, Chewton, the Mainers went to the break with no score to show for it.

Some near misses and great saves by the opposition goalkeeper kept the score to 0-0 and had Maine coaches Terry Attwood and Glen Springate nervous: could their side repeat the first half performance?

They need not have worried. The intensity and teamwork continued apace, and the Mainers were unlucky not to score more than the single goal they did.

It came via a long ball from defender Joe Gingell to Ben Adams who used his scintillating pace to zip past Vic Park’s centre-back and calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner.

High-level intensity across the pitch kept Vic Park players under pressure all game while some quick transition from defence into Castlemaine’s attack had their opponents on the run.

Winger Sunday Lam had his best match of the season, carrying out the coaches’ instructions to perfection. Tristan Van Pagee Anderson broke through the defence often and was unlucky not to score a brace, Bear made Vic Park’s centre-backs nervous every time they had possession and Ben A. was like the Eveready Bunny, non-stop action.

New recruit Joel Huzzey and the effervescent Jono Burris were tireless in midfield, controlling the tempo of the game while the defence of Taro and Nathaniel Muller, Joe G. and Gabe Lillington were impregnable.

The Division 2 men did not fair so well, slipping behind 0-3 at half time before rallying to battle out an even second half.

Top-of-the-Table Vic Park managed another goal after the break to run out 4-0 winners.