Local soccer’s version of magic round was a wonderful celebration of the beautiful game on Sunday.
All opening round games in the women’s competition, the popular M-League, were played at Lynwood Park, the home of football in the Macarthur region.
The first game, between AC United and Eschol Park kicked things off at 9am, while Kemps Creek United and Moorebank Sports were the other bookend, with their game at 7pm.
And by the time the last game was over it completed a 12 hour football marathon involving 12 teams that produced 12 goals from six matches.
It’s just as well the main playing field at Lynwood Park boasts artificial turf that was introduced back in 2016.
And while it is starting to show its age, from the stands the surface still looks like a billiard table.
Neither did it matter that light showers fell from time – and that’s the beauty of an artificial playing surface.
As for the football, there were plenty of good moments, but also occasions where it was clear this was round one, not round 12.
The South West Voice watched two of the matches, Harrington United versus Camden Falcons and Tahmoor taking on Oran Park Rovers.
Two goals scored during our presence were almost identical, with the goalkeepers beaten by high kicks on both occasions.
Watching women’s football, you can’t help thinking of our national team, the Matildas, who play with unbridled joy.
These Macarthur and South West Sydney footballers also play football the way the beautiful game was meant to be played: for the sheer fun of it.
The standard of M-League will get better as the season goes on, but if you get a chance get down to a game near you – you will not be disappointed.
RESULTS M-LEAGUE ROUND 1:
AC United 3 Eschol Park 1
Harrington United 2 Camden Falcons 0
Tahmoor 1 Oran Park Rovers 2
Liverpool City Robins 1 Liverpool Olympic 1
Narellan Rangers 1 Sporting Rovers 0
Kemps Creek United 0 Moorebank Sports 0
