LEETON United had their work cut out for them in a match against reigning champions, Yoogali Soccer Club on Saturday night.
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The Billabong Cup match was a solid game that was played quickly, in the freezing cold, and with a number of players unavailable.
Leeton was defeated, but it was a close game, with a final score of 1-0 cementing the setback. Such a close score recorded against the strong team left United both disappointed and delighted.
The match was played evenly, on a level playing field, for the first portion of the game, but the lone goal of the match was scored by the opposition just before the end of the first half.
"All players played well," coach Daniel Alampi said.
"It was a pretty close game, both teams were good.
"A tough game, we had good periods and we had bad periods."
Defence players Michael Rasa, Xavier Margirier and Danyon Arnold were commended by Alampi for their strong efforts.
Keeping their eye on the ball and standing the player up as oppossed to diving in, blocked Yoogali from scoring any further goals.
Leeton United were missing a couple of key players, which hurt the team, Alampi said.
With the absence of these players it was up to the lacking Leeton United to "keep the momentum going".
"They (Yoogali) are a good side, they haven't been beaten yet," Alampi said.
Yoogali coach Anthony Martinello said he was happy with the way the game went “because Leeton are always a tough team to play”.
“They really tried to chase the game in the last 20 minutes, but our guys held strong.”
Yoogali now boast four wins for the four games played in competing for the Billabong Cup.
Wednesday night will be a catch up game for United to be played in Griffith against West Griffith.
The original game was postponed, at the request of Leeton United, following the alleged murder of Stephanie Scott.
Miss Scott’s fiance, Aaron Leeson-Woolley, was a team member of Leeton United so the pain of the loss was particularly heavy for the soccer side.
At the time of postponing the game, Alampi said that playing football was the furthest things from the club's mind.
"We don’t want to be playing, that’s for sure," he said. “It’s just out of respect for Stephanie and Aaron’s family more than anything.”
The catch-up game on Wednesday night will leave little time for preparation. West Griffith are a young side and are known to play a good game Alampi said.
"We will be working on our attack," he said.