PORT United got its Mid North Coast Premier League season off to a cracking start in round one's local derby with Port FC on Saturday.
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United won 2-0 at Tuffins Lane against a depleted FC outfit.
Jake Avery and Liam Clarke scored in either half in a match where FC did most of the defending.
A couple of quality saves from FC keeper Kristian Fletcher kept his team in the contest in the first half. Fletcher's back line also snuffed out some United opportunities.
As well as coming out on top on the scoreboard, United also came out ahead on the injury front.
Two ambulances were called to the ground in the match. Aidan Shaw was carried off with a suspected broken ankle, before Fletcher came off second best while going in for a 50-50 ball with United captain Andy Collins.
Fletcher came off his line and sustained a serious leg injury in the clash.
United coach Chris Walsh was thrilled to get the win, but gave FC credit for a brave performance.
"That wasn't their strongest side," he said.
"Credit to these guys. They had four or five out.
"But we can only play against who they put on the park."
A found it hard to single out a quality performer in a strong all-round performance from United's new bunch of young stars.
Walsh was as confident as he's ever been at the start of a new season, but there are still some things to work on.
"It would have been nice to put a few more in the net, but their defending was excellent," he said.
United's short passing game was pleasing, and Walsh said he would build on that in future matches.
FC spokesman Terrance Stafford, who is also out with injury, was worried for Fletcher.
He praised his goalkeeping colleague for a strong performance between the sticks in the first half.
Stafford is still a couple of weeks away from returning to the field, which could leave FC short when the competition resumes in a fortnight's time.
FC will take on cross-town rivals Port Saints in round two, while United takes on Kempsey Saints at Dixie Park.
In the other matches of the round, Port Saints went down 4-3 to Macleay Valley Rangers, Kempsey Saints had a 3-3 draw with Wallis Lake, Wingham and Taree drew 2-2 and Camden Haven beat Old Bar 4-3.
