Wests Win Arm Wrestle

20130504 Wests v Barambah — Wests were too strong for Barambah in 1st Division in Kingaroy

May 6, 2013

By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

Another beautiful day saw some top football being played across the South Burnett on Saturday.

Barambah travelled to Kingaroy in great numbers, which was very pleasing to see.

The First Division game was always going to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams close to full strength. The first 20 minutes of the match was like an arm wrestle with both sides creating chances.

It took a fine individual run by Harry Sterling through the middle of the park for Wests to take the lead in the 33rd minute of the game.

One minute from half-time, Rex Parsons, who had been left free, latched onto a ball on the left hand side of the penalty box to give Wests a 2-0 lead.

Barambah returned in the second half determined to make amends. Their defence was staunch, led by Chris O’Loughlin.

Wests found it difficult to launch any attacks and when they did they were caught by the offside trap, something Barambah has been renowned for mastering in the past.

Wests appeared to be boxed in their own half but Barambah failed to finish until Joel Sommerfeld scored from outside the box with a long distance screamer.

Barambah then pushed all their troops forward looking for an equaliser but came undone when Wests’ Thomas Carroll scored on the break with a fine long distance strike to ensure his side took home the three points.

Best for Wests was Harry Sterling with an incredible workload for his team. Chris O’Loughlin played his heart out in defence and was Barambah’s best with his on-field leadership.

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In Second Division it was a 2-2 draw in a lively contest.

Barambah scored in the first minute of the game after John Shaw was gifted a goal from a Wests’ goalkeeping error. Sometimes you have to be in the right spot at the right time.

n the 20th minute, Joel Sommerfeld scored from a fine cross to give his side a 2-0 lead. Four minutes later a brilliant run by Robbie Lang ended with a goal to put his side back into the game.

Ten minutes into the second half Barambah was awarded a penalty for a player being brought down in the box, however the kick hit the crossbar and Wests were let off the hook.

In the 61st minute Daniel Favier equalised for Wests from a well-timed ball from his father Gary Favier.

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The Barambah women came to Kingaroy looking for their first win of the season while Wests were looking to consolidate second position.

Wests took the field with only eight players but soon had an extra two.

Barambah looked threatening from the outset. Wests’ defence struggled without their experienced veteran defender Danielle Maudsley and went to the break 2-0 down with goals from Barambah’s Haylee Schloss and Elle Mollenhauer.

Midway through the second half the match seemed to have died off, but a goal from Wests’ Katie Patterson lifted Wests who started playing with some new-found vigour.

Ten minutes from full-time Jacqui Trace scored an equaliser for Wests.

Barambah hit back again through Elle Mollenhauer to give her side the lead again. It looked like Barambah might be looking at their first win of the season but with a minute to go Trace scored her second for the game – and her ninth of the season – to give her side a valuable point.

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