Goulburn looked the stronger attacking side at in the first few minutes of the game with most of the play in Central’s half although once inside the circle Goulburn tended to lose possession or was unable to get the ball to a player with a reasonable chance of putting the ball in the net.

The first scoring opportunity came when Goulburn incurred a penalty corner but central was unable to capitalise.

 With just over 18 minutes left in the half Glenn Turner received the ball inside the circle and slotted it past the central keeper Luke Black.

For the remainder of the half Goulburn held its structure well with Aaron Kershaw leading the backs pushing the play deep onto the Central half.

 The Geckos kept playing the ball wide attempting to draw the central players and open up a gap but Central’s defence was solid. With about 12 minutes to go in the half Goulburn was awarded a penalty corner but from the set play was unable to break through.

At half time the score remained at one goal to nil in favour of the Geckos.

The match was umpire Trent Dodwell, from the Highland’s first Capital League game and he was paired with James Hanger from Goulburn to control what turned out to be a very exciting game with plenty of spirit shown by players from both sides. Trent is a product of the Hockey NSW officials coaching program and he is keen to pursue his refereeing as far as he can.

In the second half Central came out fired up and obviously determined to get on the attacking foot.

 Todd Devlin had told the Geckos at half time that they needed to trap the ball better inside the circle and reduce turnovers also to get the ball onto their forward stick rather than back stick to make passes, something he had reminded them about repeatedly.

 Goulburn found themselves taking a defensive position early in the half but were able to keep the ball from breaking through. After a clearance down their left side involving Hayden Shawyer out wide thy got the ball to Glenn Turner who pushed his way past the lone back deep in Centrals half to go one on one with the keeper and a well placed shot found the back of the net.

A counter attack by Central after a missed pass by the geckos resulted in Central’s captain Matt Hotchkis slotting a shot past Goulburn’s keeper Jason Brayshaw, narrowing the gap to two goals to one.

 Inside the final minute of the game, after it looked as though Central might even the score, another run down the left side involving Hayden Shawyer getting a pass in to the centre. Turner then passed the ball to Ben Stains who lifted his shot past Luke Black on his left.  Giving Goulburn a three goal to one lead. In the seconds remaining Central were unable to alter the score. Last time these two teams met it was Central who claimed a two goal to one win.