Competing in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League 2 competition, the two sides did battle in Bendigo and netted two goals each.
Wanderer’s head coach Mark Plant said he was impressed with the team’s opening performance.
“It was a surprise. We had no pre-season matches, so this was our first match as a team.
“I said to the boys it might take some time to learn how to play together.
“For five guys, it was their first senior match for the club. Then, at half-time, it was 2-1. We were down, but we were definitely in the game.”
Deniliquin’s two goals came through first-year senior player Hamish Baker.
“For one, he got on the end of a beautiful through ball,” Plant said.
“With young guys, you might expect them to blaze away and put it over the top, but there was no panic as he put it in the back of the net.”
Another young player Plant highlighted was second-year player Masen Brain.
“He won the players’ player award after his performance. He is in his second year of senior football at the club.
“I said I was expecting big things from him, and he lived up to it round one.”
Plant said their week one opponent attacked well, but was aided by a penalty.
“Their first goal was great, there’s nothing you can do about that, but their second came from a bit of a dodgy penalty. But that’s the game.
“Later in the season we’ll likely get a penalty we don’t deserve; it happens.”
This weekend, the Wanderers play at home against the second Golden City team in the competition.
Plant said they would be approaching the game unburdened by expectation, and confident following last week’s match.
“If we develop a bit of fitness and get used to playing together, who knows?
“We have a few outs this week, but as I said at the start of the year, we don’t really have any expectations going into each match.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
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