A POLISHED second-half display maintained Hanwood's undefeated start to the Pascoe Cup season with a 3-1 win over Lake Albert on Sunday.
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The powerhouse Griffith club stretched their winning streak to seven as they fought back from a half-time deficit to collect another three points at Rawlings Park.
Lake Albert started with plenty of enthusiasm and gained further momentum when Jamie Rankin made the most of an opportunity to put the Sharks 1-0 up after 22 minutes.
The home team held strong at the back and took the 1-0 advantage into half-time.
Hanwood were quick to strike after the break, with Jordan Austin levelling the score at 1-1.
Only moments later, Daniel Johnson produced a cracking strike from outside the 18-yard line to put Hanwood back in front.
Chaise Donetto, having come off the bench after a full game in reserve grade, then produced a brilliant individual effort to give Hanwood a match-winning 3-1 lead.
Hanwood captain Andy Gamble labelled it a well-deserved victory.
"It was very good," Gamble said.
"Obviously they got us by shock at the start with one goal. Sloppy defending really, it was a mishap but it was good to get back up, 3-1.
"I think we deserved it. They had one shot all game so I don't think they would have deserved the win if they had got it so I'm glad we got it back.
"We were probably the better team on the day."
Gamble said a more aggressive approach in the second half paid off for Hanwood.
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"The first half we had a lot of the ball, the keeper kept them in it. We had a lot of good shots and what not, but it was a bit slow, a bit predictable as the manager said," Gamble said.
"So obviously we tried to change things up a little bit, be a bit more aggressive winning the ball, second ball, and it worked well the second half."
Gamble was part of Hanwood's premiership-winning team in 2019 and then sat out last season. He is back controlling the team from central defence and is happy with how they've started their campaign.
"I'm loving it. It's good to be back," he said.
"Obviously myself and a lot of the boys were missing last year, we've got a good team back. A good, older team as well. We travelled light today, we had 11 men so we didn't have fresh legs but it was good.
"We've had a good few away wins, now we've got a few home games, they've got to come to us and try and get some wins."
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