A BENDIGO Amateur Soccer League season full of promise for Spring Gully has started in the best possible manner.
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The Reds shocked perennial league powerhouse Epsom to score a 2-1 win at Stanley Avenue.
It was Spring Gully’s first win over the Scorpions in many seasons.
The Reds’ joy was amplified by a win by their men’s division two team.
Samuel Nanere and David Cahill were the goal scorers for Spring Gully, which was well led from the sidelines by new coach Tony McQuillan.
The Reds will look to back-up against Eaglehawk next Sunday.
Meanwhile, a rematch of last season’s men’s semi-final between Eaglehawk and Shepparton United produced another epic battle.
Extra time was needed to separate the two teams when they met last October after scores were locked together at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The Hawks would go on to score twice in extra-time to advance to the 2018 season grand final against Shepparton South.
On Sunday at Truscott Reserve, the two teams had to settle for a 2-2 draw in a high-calibre opening round encounter.
Twice Eaglehawk had to come from a goal down after Fabrice Ebe and Ermal Marku put United ahead at the fifth and 77th minute marks.
An 89th minute goal to Keegan Smyth ensured a 2-2 draw for Eaglehawk, which is looking to repeat as championship winners.
A new-look Tatura stunned last season’s grand final winners Shepparton South to record a 4-1 win at McEwen Reserve.
The Ibises have been boosted by the inclusion of South grand final star Sean Grant, who was one of four goal scorers on the day for his new team.
Fellow recruit Lewis Coyle, who has joined from Goulburn Valley Suns, was also among the scorers.
Tatura faces Golden City next week after the Rams lost an entertaining battle against Strathdale 4-3.
Eh Soo Seven scored two goals for the victorious Blues, as did Muhammad Alshammari for the Rams.
Colts United and Shepparton had to settle for a 2-2 draw, with Omran Alhamzah getting his season off to a good start for Shepparton with a double.
In youth championship matches, Strathdale defeated Golden City 10-2, Moama-Echuca beat Swan Hill 2-nil, Shepparton United won 6-2 at Eaglehawk, Shepparton South accounted for Tatura 4-2 at home, and Epsom had the better of Spring Gully 4-1.
Highlights of the round included four goals from Daniel Browell and three from Kyle Nicholls in the Blues win over Golden City.