HIS skill when handling a Sherrin in an Australian rules match is well-known, but on Saturday night Paul Long again showed his sporting prowess extends to soccer as well.
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It was Long who came up with the only goal in Western NSW FC's National Premier Leagues 4 season-opener against Camden.
While Long has been a multiple AFL Central West premiership winner with the Bathurst Bushrangers, he's also won Bathurst District Football crowns with Abercrombie and Panorama.
He's played in past campaigns for Western and is back again in 2020, a season which started with a 1-0 victory thanks to his 75th minute header. He connected with a Daniel Baumgartner free kick taken some 35 yards out from goal.
It was part of an impressive debut from Baumgartner, who created plenty in attack.
"The boys did a good job in a very tight match where both teams could have stolen it, we certainly could have walked away with a share of the points. But at the end of the day we did well enough to come away with the three, which was really pleasing," Western coach Mark Rooke said.
"To be honest we did have more chances, it was pleasing to create the chances. We were just lacking, not composure, but just a little bit of polish in front of goals. More game time will hopefully help that."
While Camden hit the crossbar, twice struck the post and had another attempt cleared off the line, Rooke was delighted his side was able to finish with a clean sheet.
The coach did have to make some adjustments to his defensive unit at half-time, but given it's a new combination at the back he knows they will continue to gel.
"We defended well and were marshalled well by Cameron DeJong there at the back. He was very good at the back, but the whole back four - Nikki Spice, Ashton Arnott-Webb, Kyle Aubin - were all very good," he said.
"To be where we were right now, it's a pleasing point. They've taken things on board we've done at small-sided training, we've got a long way to go, but it was great to get off to a start like, especially at Camden which is a tough place to go."
