McEwen Reserve erupted as Ermal Marku’s header looked set to grab United a point in its Bendigo Amateur Soccer League opener against Epsom.
Three minutes later, silence took its place.
Epsom plunged a dagger in the form of an instant reply into the hosts’ heart, leaving the Blues with a 2-1 defeat to stew over and a reminder of how cruel the round ball game can be.
Though a loss is far from the ideal start United president Nathan Sali was largely unperturbed by the result.
“The match played out really well in my opinion, I was happy with how the boys performed. Game one was always going to be about seeing where we are at,” Sali said.
“There were good moments in the game where I was excited with what I saw.
“But I think it was hard for some of our younger players lacking experience, they found it hard going up against the bigger bodies.”
A physical Epsom threw its weight around for the first 45-minute period, but it was an own goal which gave the eventual victors ascendancy shortly after the break.
Cue captain Marku, who nodded home Daniel Ndisa's cross to peg back a deserved goal for United in the 65th minute.
But as the game so often dishes out, heartbreak followed when Caleb Sanders smacked home the winner soon after.
Sali praised Marku's work rate throughout the game and noted United's fitness was a defining factor in the loss.
● Tatura taught La Trobe University a lesson in footballing decorum on Sunday, sending nine past the students on their home deck.
The Ibises were delivered an early scare after Cody Sellwood’s opener was cancelled out by an Eagle in the 22nd minute.
But the home fans weren’t singing for long.
Kyle Minicozzi, Jordan Leocata, Liam Nash and Sellwood all found the net before the half to get the away end at The Nest roaring.
The latter went on to grab his hat-trick in the second stanza, as did Minicozzi, while Leocata doubled his tally to round out the 9-1 drubbing.
● Shepparton South found itself locked in a steely contest away at Spring Gully.
Fielding a remodelled 11 to 2019, Rob Harmeston’s troops toiled to no avail as Gully held firm at the back.
Young keeper Paddy Watson was a thorn in the Southerners’ side throughout the 90 minutes, making save after save to clinch his side a nil-all draw.
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