The buzz among players and coaching staff before the Swan Inn Res began their first game of the season was second to none. Grady O'brien took to the side lines for his first game as Manager, after recently hanging up his boots, after 5 years of fantastic service to the Swan Inn faithful. Its been widely expected by many in the game, that O'brien would bring a fresh style of play to the Swan Inn Res team, and with their opener at Melbourne Park away, the fans were certainly not disapointed. Swan started off a little slow with the first 5 minutes mainly dominated by Marconi, but they made nothing of their higher possesion rate, and allowed the Swan Inn boys to shake the cob webs off of their (for the majority of the team) post Ibiza legs. Swan began to pass the ball well, with The Swans only Scotland international Jimmy Irvine, spreading the ball across the park like a young Darren Fletcher. The Swans captain Russell Paul Olley organised the team like an O.C.D sufferer's work desk, and did not give possesion away once, while also creating the majority of the first halfs chances, Swan were looking like there was a goal around the corner, then 35 minutes into play, the ball was played to Johnnie Savva, who took a touch on the edge of the box, and calmly slotted Jimmy Donadio through, who on his debut shot just wide of the post, The Swan Inn's real first chance jut passed them by. With solid a first half performance from another debutant Oliver Harris who contained Marconi's tricky right mid with ease, The Swan Inn reached half time still at 0-0 but feeling like they were set for a goal. O'brien decided to make his first change as Swan Inn Manager, and introduced a team regular Connor Dale, who is known for his slightly wild off-field antics, in place for Jimmy Donadio on the right. With second half underway The Swan Inn Res did not take their foot off the gas, and 67 minutes in Harris won the ball on the edge of his area, and picked out Savva, who just before the half way line, controlled the ball and played a lofted pass to put Flatts through, Flatts ran 15 yards and crossed into Barden who calmly took the ball round the keeper and hamered home The Swan Inns first of the season. The Swan Inn's defence did not let up all game, with 2 wall like performances from Knowles and Jarvis, and also the 3rd debutant Drew O'brien putting in a great performance at Right Back. The Swan Played out the rest of the game with wonderful quick one touch football, they had a second goal disallowed after a mix up with linesman and ref. Goal Keeper Luke Turner made sure Swan kept the 3 points with an 80 minute save. The Swan Inn Reserves reached the final whistle and kicked off the season with a 1-0 win against a decent Marconi side. Grady O'brien said he was absolutely delighted with the team and thought the effort from all, was superb. Oliver Harris recieved the Man of the Match award for a fantastic performance on his debut. The Swan Inn go into next weeks game against Tulip Springfield full of confidence and really believing they could bring home some silverware this season under new Manager O'brien.
