THE CPL launched over the weekend with Port Saints hosting heavyweights Macleay Valley Rangers in an enthralling encounter at Findlay Park.
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The Rangers were rewarded for a stronger start to the match, their two goals in the opening hour enough to secure the points despite a strong finish from the Saints.
The opening 15 minutes were equally matched, both sides relishing in the excitement of the launch of the new competition.
"In the opening ten minutes both teams were just trying to set a rhythm, after that we started to dominate possession and created some chances," Rangers coach Chris Walker told the Argus.
Macleay edged their way in front, controlling possession and working a few half chances, before Tristan Smith tapped home the opener on the 30 minute mark, poaching at the back post after a well worked free-kick saw the ball ricochet off the back post into his path.
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Ten minutes into the second half, Sam Applegate doubled the Rangers lead with a spectacular 40m lob, catching Saints keeper off his line for the second of the match.
The Saints showed great fight to work their way back into the match, and after several good chances brought the deficit back to one with a breakaway through the middle, after the Rangers had given the ball away in midfield.
Despite a late surge, the Rangers held on to their first 3 points of the season.
Walker was pleased with his sides performance, especially against a strong Saints outfit.
"The Saints are always a tough team, they played well today. We had some good chances to seal the match but I was happy with our performance overall," he said.
"We will only get better as we play more games, and this first result was an important one for the season."
Walker didn't think the lack of contact training had a huge impact on the match - focusing more on a lack of match fitness.
"I was really proud of the amount of running our side did, most of our players lasted around 80 to 85 minutes and fatigue issues were only because we haven't played a match yet or been able to simulate many matches at training," he explained.