Gunners were stung into action by an early goal to Barambah
Reuben Vandenberg-Dodt clears a ball for Gunners

April 22, 2013

By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

Gunners are back in contention following wins in all grades against Barambah in Murgon on Sunday.

In 1st Division, Gunners were bolstered by the return of their pivotal midfielder, Peter Collins, and Barambah were pretty close to full strength.

Barambah shocked Gunners in the first minute of the game when newcomer Daure Moses scored an absolute cracker from long range.

However Gunners did not let their heads drop and in the 17th minute of the game, Shaun Vidler slotted home an equaliser from a corner kick.

The match was evenly poised when a beautiful through ball from Sam Murray found Ike Sililat who had no trouble putting it past the Barambah keeper in the 25th minute.

The match remained tight with both teams having few chances up until half time.

Shortly after half-time, Sam Murray scored his first of the season with a strong individual run, managing to breach the Barambah defence to make it 3-1 to Gunners.

Both teams continued to fight hard and Barambah refused to lie down.

Gunners then pushed Bailey Raines forward and were immediately rewarded when he scored two goals: one from a lovely through ball from Zac Strauss, and another in the 71st minute after taking on the Barambah defence.

The match had well and truly escaped from Barambah’s grasp and frustration crept into their game in the 77th minute when Ike Sililat grabbed his second from a pin point cross from Ryan Mooney to give a 6-1 win to Gunners.

Best on the park for Gunners were Sam Murray, Shaun Vidler, Peter Collins and Mitch Potter who gave their team a platform for a good win.

Barambah’s best were David Eagleson, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, Andrew Fennell who had a few close chances on goal and Dan Kelly who had a busy game in defence.

* * *

The 2nd Division game was won by Gunners 2-0.

Shane Hall gave Gunners the lead in the 21st minute after some quality football from both sides.

In the second half an own goal and ill-discipline cost any chance Barambah had of getting back into the game.

Six minutes from full-time, Barambah’s Kyle Fazakerley was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

* * *

Gunners Women started well with a fourth minute goal to Katrina Parsons who had her first game back after playing in the NPL.

The game was fairly even and both teams had their chances.

Elle Mollenhauer came close a few times to getting her side back in the game.

Towards the end of the match, Gunners’ striker Kristy Learmont came from the field with a nasty knee injury.

The match remained scoreless in the second half with Gunners running out winners 1-0.

Barambah attacking the Gunners’ goal

Ike Sililat scored in the 77th minute

Results:

In Kingaroy on Saturday

  • 2nd Division: Nanango 2 (Brent Dawson 2) defeated Wests 0
  • 1st Division: Nanango 1 (Justin Mangan) defeated Wests 0

In Murgon on Sunday

  • 2nd Division: Gunners 2 (Shane Hall, Own Goal) defeated Barambah 0
  • Women: Gunners 1 (Katrina Parsons) defeated Barambah 0
  • 1st Division: Gunners 6 (Ike Silalat 2, Bailey Raines 2, Shaun Vidler, Sam Murray) defeated Barambah 1 (Daure Moses)

Next Saturdays’s games:
Wests v Gunners (in Kingaroy), and Nanango v Barambah (in Nanango)

Nanango kept their undefeated record intact in 2nd Division in Kingaroy on Saturday
Wests managed to keep Nanango to a  2-0 scoreline in 2nd Division