Hanwood's finishing returns in big win over South Wagga Warriors in Pascoe Cup

The Griffith side are the ladder leaders and favourites to win the Pascoe Cup this season, but they were held to their first draw of the year against Wagga United last weekend.

The disappointment of that draw was clearly motivation for Hanwood, as they came out of the gates with a level of intensity that overwhelmed their opponents from the off.

Just minutes after hitting the crossbar with a lobbed effort, Christopher Zappala opened the scoring when the ball fell to him in the middle of the South Wagga box.

Hanwood held control of the match and would have scored a scintillating team goal if not for a defender blocking Daniel Rogato volleyed shot, but ultimately the Griffith side went into the half just 1-0 up despite their dominance.

But Hanwood's usual clinical finishing returned in droves in the second half, with striker Daniel Johnson doubling their advantage after being played in one on one with the keeper.

A few minutes later, Rogato pickpocketed the ball from South Wagga's right back and skirted along the byline, before cutting the ball back to Johnson for his second of the game.

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Hanwood's defensive line had barely been tested all game, but the Warriors were able to put themselves on the score sheet when keeper Nicholas Zappala cleared the ball right into a pressuring attacker, causing the ball to richochet back into the Hanwood net.

Zappala made up for the error shortly after, pulling off an acrobatic save to crush South Wagga's dreams of a comeback.

Hanwood's attack piled on the pressure in the closing moments of the game and a line breaking pass from Johnson found Rogato with just the keeper to beat and the winger put himself on the scoresheet.

His counterpart on the other wing then got in on the action, when Chaise Donetto pounced on a wayward Warriors back pass and finished coolly into the net to make it 5-1.

Coach Brian Bertolin said he was happy with the return to form from his side.

"The first half was a bit like last week where we created chances but weren't able to put them away but the second half was much better," Bertolin said.

"We sort of relaxed a bit and started to finish our chances which was pleasing to see."

Bertolin highlighted the effort of his backline in keeping South Wagga quiet, but said it would be a focus going forward to ensure they stop conceding soft goals.

Hanwood sit atop the Pascoe Cup ladder with just three games to go before finals.

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