The Balclutha Association Football Club entered a combined team of players from the Andrew Haulage First Team and the Outback Engineering Development Team into the Southland preseason football tournament in Winton at the weekend.
Captain and Balclutha Association Football Club member Matthew Morahan reports below.
"Fortunately there were no inter-team scraps this time. The team competed in the Second Division Trophy, the level at which the First Team will be playing.
"The team managed to be a thorn in the side of Thistle with a 0-0 draw, copped a royal hiding 2-1 to Queen’s Park, but things went south at the end with a 1-1 draw against Southend.
"It was a promising run out and showed that both teams should be very competitive this season.
"The father-son duo of Phil and Jackson Savage both made a lasting impression.
"Several of the team are in their teens, which is encouraging for the future of the club and the sport in the area.
"Both men’s teams will be looking forward to their first competitive games this weekend after a nice long, hard preseason.
"The women’s team, playing in the Otago competition, start later on.
"We’re welcoming players of all ages and abilities to come along on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6pm over the back of the Showgrounds for training and a kick-around if interested in playing.
"We appreciate support on and off the sidelines where we can receive it, and we look forward to the oncoming season."
