Hay Rams win! Newly reformed Hay Rams soccer team demolish close town rivals Deniliquin

Hay Rams (back row from left) Matt Dowse, Noa Koroi, Max Hutchings, Dillon Green, Bradley Callaghan, Jonathan Ort, Griffin Heydon and Nico Mosqueda.

Front: Michael Tumolero, Alex Giddins, Daniel Green, Jonatan Medina, Hilton Hargreaves, Tobias Tamburini and Mateo Tamburini.

Images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland

By Brad Callaghan

In what has been a long-anticipated comeback for the Hay Soccer Club, a senior side took the field on Jack Bisset Oval for the first time in recent years. 

Hay were fortunate to have Deniliquin travel over for the pre-season trial, with much thanks to Matt the Club President and Phoebe who volunteered her time to come over and referee.

The match was very tight and close right from the start with Hay kicking off.

There was absolute great midfield work from the Tamburini twins and Hilton Hargreaves who kept feeding amazing service up front to Dan, Tobias Gonzalez and Brad Callaghan.

After five minutes Hay took the lead through a classic striker’s goal from Tobias Gonzalez, not long before Deniliquin equalled it making it 1-1. 

Hay had plenty more attack leading out from the back due to the hard work rate from captain Nico Mosqueda and right back Griffin Heydon.

He kept providing a great platform for our midfield to build off.

The ball gets crossed into the box for a shot on goal from Tobias Gonzalez which was blocked and landed to the feet of Dan Green who slotted it away in great fashion. Hay then conceded a penalty five minutes later with Deniliquin once again equalling the score to 2-2 just before the quarter time whistle. 

Hay and Deniliquin were battling it out but the Rams were starting to prove to be too strong for their opponents, after dominating attacks from the midfield and Matt Dowse on the wing.

Crucial clearances were keeping the Wanderers away from the opponent’s goal thanks to the likes of Max Hutchings and Jonatan Medina.

Tobias Tamburini received a beautiful pass and took a shot from a tight angle, squeezing it in the near post past the keeper.

Not long after Tobias Gonzalez was fouled in the opponent’s goal box, with Hilton Hargreaves slotting the penalty into the bottom corner just before half time, now 4-2 Hay. 

Second half saw Deniliquin kick off with a tough battle back and forth.

Alex Giddins was now in goal after replacing the first half keeper Michael Tumolero.

He was making crucial saves and kicking long balls down the field, mixed with quality play out the back with defenders Max Hutchings and German centre back Jonathan Ort.

Young juniors Alex Pratt, Noa Koroi and Dillon Green got a run on the field, helping out in defence keeping the Wanderers at bay, and doing a great job at it.

With 15 minutes to go Hay received a foul just inside the halfway line five meters out from the sideline. An unbelievable strike from Mateo Tamburini scored from 40 metres out.

With two minutes on the clock the mid field was tearing through the Deniliquin side.

An unbelievable pass from Tobias Tamburini through the Wanderers defence put Brad Callaghan one on one with the keeper who calmly put the ball in the bottom corner.

Full time: 6-2 Hay Rams defeated Deniliquin

Goal Scorers: Tobias Gonzalez, Daniel Green, Tobias Tamburini, Hilton Hargreaves (penalty), Mateo Tamburini, Bradley Callaghan.

Best on Ground: Mateo Tamburini, Hilton Hargreaves, Max Hutchings.

Earlier in the day junior side took to the pitch.

After months of planning, Diego’s Deniliquin Strike Force Soccer Academy came over Saturday morning to take on the Hay Lambs Under 11s and and Under 15s.

The 11s, coached by Marcus Honeyman and Myla Bisset, took to the field to face against the strong academy side, where the Lambs unfortunately lost.

They fought hard and managed to score one goal through Lenny Bunyan, with the help of standout players Xander Bienzobas, Noah Clarke and Zoya Shahzad.

Milani Payne was selected as the player to receive the match ball for her hard work and commitment to the game. 

The 15s, coached by Griffin Heydon and Brad Callaghan started very strong.

After a clearance from goal keeper Alex Giddins to younger brother Dallas on the run dribbling past two defenders before taking a shot from well out of the box, landing into the top corner of the net.

Unfortunately, Deniliquin were too strong after scoring multiple unanswered goals, giving them the win at the end of the day.

Standout players were Noa Koroi, Mela Polhill and newcomer Jandry Strydom who were all so involved with the game and didn’t stop running.

“Well done to Dan Green, Noa and Alex Giddins who backed up by playing in the Rams senior game later in the afternoon.”