The MIA Derby has come to an early finish after a serious injury to Hanwood's Anthony Agresta just after the half-hour mark of the game.
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It was a clash between the two best teams in the Pascoe Cup, with Leeton looking to end Hanwood's unbeaten run, which stretches back to the start of the 2021 season.
Hanwood created the better of the chances in the early stages of the match the best of which fell to Chris Zappala after Josh De Rossi tried to pick him out in the box, but he couldn't get his outstretched leg to the ball.
United was able to soak up all of the early pressure, and then at the 25-minute mark, they brought on their strike power in Adam Raso and Henri Gardiner.
Five minutes later, the game took a turn for the worse.
After making a break down the right side of the field with virtually his first touch since coming off the bench, Raso lost possession in a tackle from Anthony Agresta, leading Raso to go through the back of Agresta.
The tackle resulted in a red card to Raso, while Agresta was taken to hospital with a broken leg.
Hanwood coach Jason Bertacco was emotional talking about the injury to one of the club's stalwarts.
"The tackle was horrible from behind, and we all know that is a part of football," he said.
"But to break someone's leg like that isn't football at all."
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Tempers flared between the two sides following an exchange that left Bertacco furious with the actions of some of the Leeton players.
"It is a disgrace to all football," he said.
"The guy is there on the ground, and to have someone come and do that, that is what caused everything else that happened."
The Hanwood coach said the season would now be dedicated to the Hanwood stalwart.
"Anything we do now is for Giggles (Agresta)," he said.
"His nickname is Giggles for a reason. He is always smiling and has never done anything to anyone, so for this to happen to him is just heartbreaking for the whole club. Whatever we are going to do, we will do for him. Football-wise comes second. We are going to do whatever we can to help him and his family."
The outcome of the game will now be placed in the hands of Football Wagga with the match abandoned with only 30 minutes played.
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
