WANGARATTA has sprung an upset with a 3-0 win over defending league and cup champions Wodonga Diamonds.
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The match, moved to the Churchill Reserve because of ongoing issues with Diamonds’ La Trobe University homeground, was locked up at 0-0 at half-time before the Red Devils took control in the second stanza.
Jake Giannakis, Jon Shaw and Damien Albertson all put their names on the scoresheet in a 16-minute burst that put the result beyond doubt.
The Red Devils were the only side to beat Diamonds last year, again at home.
Coach Craig Cartwright was singing the praises of his young squad and downplaying their 6-2 loss to Hotspurs just seven days earlier.
“We absorbed plenty of pressure in what was a very physical first half,” he said.
“But we had worked on our defensive structure all week and they were very frustrated and that was the cue for our boys — the more frustrated they became, the more we grew in confidence.
“But we are a young side and will have our ups and downs.
“Last week the score didn’t really reflect the game, I thought 4-3 would have been a fairer reflection.”
Cartwright said they had learnt from their first game against Hotspurs.
“A few of the younger boys were a bit shocked with the physicality,” he said.
“Today was equally tough but they knew what to expect.”