July 29, 2012
By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
On a cold windy weekend in the South Burnett some cracking football was played in Kingaroy and Nanango.
In Kingaroy, Barambah travelled to meet Wests. Barambah had to forfeit First Division because of inadequate team numbers due to a horrific injury toll this season.
In Second Division, Barambah started out very strongly based on the solid defence they have shown in the past few weeks. The wind played havoc with the game, giving Barambah the advantage in the first half but unfortunately they could not capitalise up front.
Wests had few chances and those that they did have were foiled by the Barambah defence and the wind.
Ten minutes into the second half, Barambah earned themselves a free kick from a Wests’ hand ball 10m outside the penalty box. The in-form Chris O’Laughlin stepped up to take the kick and bent it around the Wests’ wall, against the wind, into the back of the net.
To their credit Wests did not give in. Things started to go their way when Thomas Carroll entered the game and created some organisation in the midfield. In the 68th minute, Sam Gray was found unmarked and had a free shot at goal to give Wests the equaliser.
Wests continued to gain momentum against a tiring Barambah who held on to earn themselves a valuable away point.
Man of the Match was again Chris O’Laughlin who has been a bit of a revelation at Barambah in the last month with his leadership skills and ability to organise the defence.
In the Women’s game, Wests had a well-earned win over Barambah who won the Presidents Cup in the previous encounter.
Wests scored in the eighth minute through Tara Montgomery, who found herself one-on-one against Barambah keeper Sarah Jensen.
Ten minutes from halftime Wests struck again with a well-worked goal from a string of precise passing. Keira Cronin made no mistake with her shot.
Midway through the second half Kate Patterson made it 3-0 against a very tired Barambah.
Barambah made Wests work hard for their win but if they are to be a serious threat in the semi-finals they will have to improve their consistency and playing numbers.
Nanango made it a clean sweep in all three grades against Gunners.
In Second Division the winless Gunners put up a brave showing but went down 1-0 through a David Ashby goal in the 56th minute. The Gunners team has improved out of sight since the start of the season and a win is just around the corner.
In the Women’s game, Nanango veteran Kerrie Thompson scored a brace to give her side a 2-1 win. Nanango scored early in the 12th minute and again after halftime in the 48th minute.
Anna Logan scored a minute later to give Gunners some hope but Nanango went on to win. The Nanango women have strung together a few wins now and are playing well under new coach Alan Downey. They will be a real threat in the Finals series.
In First Division, Gunners played out of their skins but it wasn’t quite enough against the minor premiers. If luck had gone a little bit more their way it could have been a different story.
Again it was Kieran Mangan who scored both goals in the 37th and 88th minutes.
Gunners seem to be improving week after week and come finals time anything could happen. Gunners coach, Debbie Ovens has every reason to feel confident.
In Kingaroy:
1st Div: Wests defeated Barambah 3-0 on forfeit
2nd Div: Wests 1 (Sam Gray), Barambah 1 (Chris O’Laughlin)
Women’s: Wests 3 (Tara Montgomery, Keira Cronin, Kate Patterson), Barambah 0
In Nanango:
1st Div: Nanango 2 (Kieran Mangan 2), Gunners 0
2nd Div: Nanango 1, (David Ashby) Gunners 0
Women’s: Nanango 2 (Kerrie Thompson 2), Gunnettes 1 (Anna Logan)
Next Games:
Wednesday August 1 – at Murgon
1st Div: Barambah v Gunners (catch-up game)
Saturday August 4 (at Kingaroy)
All Grades: Wests v Nanango
Sunday August 5 (at Murgon)
All Grades: Barambah v Gunners
UPDATE: August 1
In the Division 1 make-up soccer match played at Murgon this evening, Barambah 3 (Luke Holland, Chris Miller, Kyle Fazakerley) defeated Gunners 0
UPDATE: August 3
Make-up games will be held on Tuesday August 7 at Kingaroy:
- Gunnettes v Barambah (Women’s) – 6:30pm
- Gunners v Barambah (2nd Div) – 7:45pm
