THE Albury Wodonga Football League race has been blown wide open with Wangaratta City’s 3-0 demolition of top-of-the-table Boomers FC.
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Having lost their league points in their opening-round win over Boomers due to paperwork error, there was plenty on the line this time around and on home territory.
The Red Devils wasted little time in signalling their intent with Ray Dirramacca scoring the opener in the opening 15 minutes of the match.
Ivo Madeira made sure of things with a second goal for Wangaratta after half time, before Ryan van der Steeg put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute.
“There was a little emotion early,” Wangaratta coach Mario Antonello said.
“After we beat them 5-0 in the first round but had the points reversed and they got the win we wanted to make sure we got the three points today — we had a game plan and everyone stuck to it and did it well.”
Wangaratta had the upper hand for much of yesterday’s game.
And it could have been far worse as they peppered the Boomers’ goal, missing four or five regulation chances.
“I’d say we dominated possession,” Antonello said.
“It obviously worked for us and it was a good win, we’re pretty happy.
“We’ve got a pretty big supporter base in Wangaratta so the club rooms were pretty packed after the game.
“Our centre midfield did really well, van der Steeg has been consistent all year and he was super.
“And our back four were really good — fullbacks Ray Dirramacca and Aaron Taylor got up and caused the Boomers’ defence a bit of trouble — but everyone did their bit.”
While the Boomers remain on top of the AWFA ladder, Antonello said it was all to play for.
“I’m happy with way things are going for — had we not lost those points in round one we’d be top,” he said.
“There are a few weeks to go still and a fair few good teams to come up against and I expect Boomers to bounce back next week.
“But fingers crossed the league’s blown right open now.”