March 25, 2013
By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
In an unusual start to the Evolution Solar Football League competition for 2013, both First Division matches ended with an 8-0 scoreline.
The first round of fixtures was played in warm weather on Saturday in Kingaroy and Nanango.
The match of the day was the First Division clash between Gunners and Wests in Kingaroy. Both sides went into the match with changed line-ups from last season, however many of the Wests players had to double up from Second Division due to some players not being available.
As usual between these two teams, the match started off at a fast and intense pace, and it wasn’t long before Gunners found the back of the net in the eighth minute through Anuwat (Ike) Sililat.
In a terrible blow, Wests defender Chris Boyes broke his wrist but despite his loss, striker Brendon Smith came close to putting Wests on equal terms.
In the 28th minute Gunners’ striker Zac Strauss latched on to a nicely timed through ball from Brody Hatchman to give Gunners a 2-0 lead.
In the 38th minute Brody Hatchman found some space down the right flank and Bailey Raines made no mistake in front of goal to make it 3-0 at half-time.
Right from the start of the second half, Gunners continued playing with intensity. Wests found it difficult to launch many attacks as they were outplayed in the midfield.
In the 48th minute, Wests were dealt another blow losing Hayden Francis with an injury.
Gunners came close to scoring again in the 60th minute from a long-range shot by Shaun Vidler.
In the 65th minute Ryan Mooney scored for Gunners to make it 4-0. Again, it was Brody Hatchman who set it up.
Two minutes later a beautiful ball from Peter Collins was laid off by Brody Hatchman to give Zac Strauss his second goal of the game.
In the 88th minute, Ryan Mooney got his second from an opportunistic long range shot from 25m out on the left flank.
To rub salt into Wests wounds, Gunners were awarded a penalty in injury time which was converted by Gunners’ keeper Reise Braund to complete an 8-0 thrashing.
Two things that came out of this match were that Gunners played with an intensity that held for close to 90 minutes, and their midfield was a lot stronger compared to last season. They also looked very fit.
To their credit, Wests never gave up they were hampered by a couple of injuries, some players doubling up from Second Division and having too few subs on the bench. They will have to dig deep and find more commitment within themselves.
The stand out player of the match was Brody Hatchman who was involved in assisting in six of the Gunners goals.
Peter Collins and Bailey Raines also had good games.
Gary Favier, Brendon Smith, and Harry Sterling were Wests standout players while Ryan Kelly did well in goal.
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In Second Division it was a 2-2 draw. In a close game Anthony Lindholme gave Gunners the lead in the 14th minute and in the 32nd minute Gunners got a second through an own goal after a mix-up in front of the Wests goal.
Wests hit their straps in the second half, goals by veteran striker Gary Favier in the 46th and 47th put Wests back in the game.
The match was played in very hot and humid conditions and neither side could capitalise on the remaining chances they had. Both sides would have been happy with sharing the points.
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In the Women’s game it was a 1-1 draw. Both sides struggled in the warm conditions but Kristy Learmont put Gunnettes ahead in the 16th minute.
Ten minutes into the second half Wests keeper Toni Schick and Gunnettes striker Kristy Learmont had a collision injuring their knees. Kristy was able to be carried off however the game was delayed while waiting for the ambulance for Toni’s injury.
The game resumed and in the 38th minute Karla Reddell got an equaliser for Wests earning her side a valuable point.
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In Nanango it was a clean sweep for the home team. Nanango won Second Division 3-0, Women’s 2-0 and First Division 8-0.
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The next Senior matches will be on Saturday, April 13.
It what should be a thriller. Gunners take on Nanango in Kingaroy and Barambah take on Wests in Murgon.
Juniors start on Saturday, April 20, in Nanango.
- UPDATE March 26, 2013: Gunners will be playing a friendly on Saturday, April 6, against Diggers (from Gympie) at Kingaroy. Division 2 – 4:00pm, Division 1 – 6:00pm
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Results:
In Nanango
- 2nd Division: Nanango 3 (Bryce Dawson 18th, 62nd; Ty Flevell 58th), Barambah 0
- Women: Nanango 2 (Courtney Thompson 38th, 66th), Barambah 0
- 1st Division: Nanango 8 (Kieran Mangan 17th, 21st Own Goal 19th, Justin Mangan 31st, Nick Krautz 39th, Bryce Dawson 58th, 65th, 85th), Barambah 0
In Kingaroy
- 2nd Division: Gunners 2 (Anthony Lindholm 14th, Own Goal 32nd), Wests 2 (Gary Favier 46th, 47th)
- Women: Gunnettes 1 (Kristy Learmont 16th), Wests 1 (Karla Reddell)
- 1st Division: Gunners 8 (Anuwat Sillilat 8th, Zac Strauss 28th, 67th; Bailey Raines 38th, Ryan Mooney 65th, 88th; Brody Hatchman 75th, Reise Braund penalty 93rd) Wests 0
