Danny Roche's explosion onto the scene at Yoogali SC has continued this weekend after scoring three goals and setting up another two in their 6-4 win over Canberra White Eagles.
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The Irish striker got the scoring underway early with two quick strikes in the opening 10 minutes before the White Eagles stuck back with two quick goals of their own to make it 2-2 after just 25 minutes.
Roche then turned provider for Mitch Bagiante after a break down the wing before providing the cut back which saw Bagiante presented with a tap in to restore the home side's advantage.
Yoogali restored their two-goal advantage with Roche completing his first-half hat-trick after rising high to head home from a Jacob Donadel free kick before the play was recreated just before the break with Davidson putting the ball in the back of the net to give Yoogali a 5-2 lead at the break.
Coach Luke Santolin was pleased with the start but wished his side hadn't let White Eagles back into the game.
"There was some really good football being played," he said.
"We were playing well but we let them back in. It's frustrating because the team prides itself on defence but we rallied and went into the break thinking we can kick on with this."
The Yoogali side were able to create a couple of clear cut chances from Calvin Roddie and then Joe Preece found himself one-on-one with the keeper but couldn't find that finishing touch.
Roche turned provider once again as after good combination play with Roddie and a strong run into the box he played the ball across the Bagiante for his second tap in for the game and give Yoogali a four-goal buffer.
Once again the White Eagles were able to get back into the game with two quick goals but Yoogali were able to hold out to take a 6-4 win.
Santolin felt that the large lead in the second half worked against his side.
"As we wanted to keep playing hard when you have a four-goal buffer you are a bit more relaxed in your run and more relaxed in your passing and we let them back in again," he said.
"I think it was a far more stressful end to the game then it needed to be but three points is three points."
Roche has already left an impression on the club since arriving just before the start of the shortened season and Santolin has been impressed with his immediate impact.
"We didn't know what we were going to get from him but it's him, Joe, Calvin and Mitch have been playing together for years," he said.
"He gives the team talks he leads the warm ups and he scored two goals within ten minutes. If we can get on the back of that energy we will do well."
The result sees Yoogali SC move to the top of the ladder leapfrogging Wagga City Wanderers who had the bye this weekend.
The Yoogali side will travel to Queanbeyan next weekend to take on third placed Queanbeyan City.
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