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ENGLISH import Matt Fearon's encouraging pre-season form has continued, with the Hanwood FC striker netting a brace in the club's 2-0 friendly win over Melrose FC on Saturday.
Fearon scored both goals in the second half of the victory over the visiting Border side, backing up his goal and assist that came against Albury United last month.
"He's pretty much fitted straight in - he's getting on good with all the boys," Hanwood coach Anthony Agresta said.
"The good thing is he's working hard and really giving us a bit of a focal point up top."
That's exactly what HFC needs after the departure of last season's top scorer Brandon Barski and the knee injury that has sidelined Jason Bertacco.
While more of a natural midfielder than a striker, Agresta said Fearon has so far acquitted himself brilliantly at the point of attack.
"He hasn't complained, we put him up front and he's working on it," he said.
"We probably play a bit differently than what he's used to so it won't be a problem, he'll fit in all right in that position."
HFC didn't have defender Joey Gioia or star man Joey Schirripa against Melrose but still played well enough to suggest last year's minor premiers are on track to challenge for the GDFA title once again.
"We still had a pretty good side out there and it was another good test for us," Agresta said.
"I reckon they were on top for the first 15 or 20 minutes but we were able to keep a clean sheet - defensively we were pretty good.
"We could have been a bit sharper with the ball but we haven't done a great deal with the ball at this stage. That'll come in good time, hopefully."
Hanwood will have a break this weekend before ramping up preparations for next weekend's Real Juice Cup knockout, which will be followed by the annual Musitano Cup clash with Yoogali FC and the season opener against title holders Yoogali SC.
"It's all coming along all right," Agresta said.