By Matt Nicoletti

Gungahlin United claimed their first win of the 2017 season on Sunday as a solitary own goal in the first half was enough to see them past a determined Tuggeranong United.

The first half was a tightly contested affair with both sides staying compact and not pushing foo far forward, instead waiting for the other side to make the first major move.

Tuggeranong had arguably their best chance inside the opening thirty minutes as Aisosa Ihegie drove inside his marker before hitting the crossbar with a great strike. 

While it looked like there was nothing to split the sides in a tight-half of football, Gungahlin had the break though after 38 minutes from a cross. 

With the ball whipped in from the flank, a number of players got up to contest the header, but rather than a Gungahlin touch, the ball ended up in the back of the net off Tuggeranong’s Cameron Doherty. 

That goal was enough to send the home side into the break a goal to the good and with the majority of the momentum. 

The second half was a similarly tight affair as Tuggeranong looked to chase the game, but were unable to find a clear path to goal. Gungahlin goalkeeper Jason Denham made a number of fantastic saves to hang on to his side’s advantage as the visitors pressed hard.

The win marks a second win and clean sheet in a row for Gungahlin after an opening week thumping from Belconnen United, and they can extend that streak to three when they visit Monaro Panthers in Googong next week.

For Tuggeranong, they are yet to find a win having lost both of their matches by a 1-0 margin so far but have the chance to rebound when they take on the Riverina Rhinos at the AIS next Saturday.