By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee City wasted no time stamping its authority over Geelong in a season opening 4-0 win in the National Premier League 2 west clash at Galvin Park on Saturday.
A well-taken goal from new recruit Alec Goodwin just 72 seconds into the contest set the tone for the Bees, who kick-started their new campaign with a flurry of goals and a clean sheet.
Bees coach Sergio Sabbadini was relieved to get a first-up win, having failed to pick up three points in any of his previous season openers with the club.
“It was our total focus for the whole pre-season – that first game,” he said.
“We didn’t talk about seasons, we didn’t talk about anything else – we just talked about winning that first game and that’s what we did.”
Goodwin could not have envisaged a better start to life at Werribee City.
The former Moreland Zebras striker ducked in behind the Geelong defence to latch on to a long ball and powered home low and hard from a tight angle.
It was just one of a number of positive acts Goodwin produced for his new team.
“It was great to see that he scored the first goal and then he set up another one,” Sabbadini said. “He was involved with the build-ups with all the goals.
“He just worked so hard – he was left and right, he was holding the ball up for us … he was best on ground by far.”
Jake Butler was influential in the midfield for Werribee City.
Photo Gallery: Werribee City vs Geelong
His tireless work was rewarded with two goals – one in which he caressed the ball past an outstretched goalkeeper from a cross to double the Bees lead and another from the penalty spot to make it four for the team.
In between Butler’s goals, midfielder Dion Paola got in on the scoring act, following up his initial parried shot to tap past the goalkeeper.
It was a dream start for Werribee City as it executed in all facets of play.
“Defensively we were solid, our midfield was in the right spots and the strikers worked really hard – Alec and the two wingers, Lisandro [Paz] and Liam Brian,” Sabbadini said. “It was a really good, all-round performance.”
Julyan Collett was another new recruit who impressed.
Takanori Nishiyoto, who had a limited pre-season, came on as a substitute and showed some promising signs.
Brad Murray had the captain’s armband and displayed the leadership expected of him when appointed to the position.
Murray led by example with his actions on the field.
“He’s always right in the heart of the park, always involved in either defending or attacking,” Sabbadini said. “He’s one of your prime movers.”
Werribee City will hit the road to play Brunswick City in the second round at Dunstan Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
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