April 29, 2013
By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
Near perfect conditions made for an exciting local derby between Wests and Gunners in First Division in Kingaroy on Saturday.
It was the second time the teams have met this season, with Gunners having won the first round 8-0.
Since then, Wests have built up their squad and found some form with a win over Barambah and narrow 1-0 loss to Nanango.
The match started evenly with both teams fighting for control in a great midfield battle.
In the 31st minute, Ryan Mooney put Gunners 1-0 ahead, latching on to a well-timed pass.
Gunners then seemed to hold the ascendancy but Wests equalised against the run of play when Brendon Smith charged down a mistimed clearance from Gunners’ keeper Braund with the ball finishing in the back of the net.
The score remained 1-1 at half-time.
Wests came out fired up after half-time and were on equal footing with Gunners.
The match turned out into a real battle, with Gunners having the majority of goal-scoring opportunities.
In the 83rd minute Gunners scored their second after what could only be described as a wonder strike from Ike Sililat who is renowned for his spectacular goals.
He latched on to what seemed to be a harmless cross from well outside the penalty area and volleyed it into the back of the Wests net, giving the keeper no chance.
Wests did not let their heads drop and in the 87th minute were awarded a penalty for a handball. Joel Cooper made no mistake to earn a point for his team.
Best on the park for Wests were Harry Sterling and Joel Cooper, while Sam Murray and Mitch Potter were Gunners’ best.
* * *
In the Women’s match, Wests were too good for Gunnettes with their evergreen veteran striker Jacqui Trace scoring two goals in each half.
Gunnettes put up a valiant effort but Wests were far too strong on the day.
It is Jacqui Trace’s second hattrick of the season.
* * *
In Second Division, Gunners earned their second win in a row (last weekend was their first win in 18 months).
Dale Warren opened Gunners’ account early with a screaming header from a corner kick.
Soon afterwards, a brilliant individual run by Matt Krosch resulted in Wests equalising in the 28th minute.
It was all even at half-time.
It was anyone’s game in the second half but six minutes before full-time Christian Langford scored the winner for Gunners.
* * *
Nanango lead convincingly in all three grades.
In First Division they have scored 21 goals without conceding any. In Second Division they have scored 11 without conceding any and in Women’s they have scored 11 with only conceding two.
They are the team to beat in all three grades.
RESULTS
In Kingaroy
- 1st Division: Wests 2 (Brendon Smith, Joel Cooper), Gunners 2 (Ryan Mooney, Ike Sililat)
- Women: Wests 4 (Jacqui Trace 4), Gunnettes 0
- 2nd Division: Gunners 2 (Dale Warren, Christian Langford), Wests 1 (Matt Krosch)
In Nanango
- 1st Division: Nanango 5 (David Ashby, Justin Mangan, Nick Krautz, Bryce Connolly, Kieran Mangan), Barambah 0
- Women: Nanango 5 (Cassie Kelly 2, Kerrie Thompson, Jacqui Downie, Raegan Campbell), Barambah 0
- 2nd Division: Nanango 2 (Karl Pichlis, David Ashby), Barambah 0
Next week’s games: Nanango v Gunners in Nanango; Wests v Barambah in Kingaroy
Evolution Solar South Burnett Football League
Competition Ladder As At April 28, 2013
[Table by Football South Burnett]
