Points Shared In Local Derby

20130720 Gunners v Wests 2nd Division — Wests and Gunners are traditional rivals

July 22, 2013

by Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

Gunners and Wests games are always tough encounters, no matter what form the teams are in.

This weekend proved to be no exception, as the two sides battled for the last time this season before the finals series.

Gunners were without several key players and it showed early on in the game as they struggled to hold the midfield against a very determined Wests.

Harry Sterling struck for Wests in the 11^th with a missile of a shot. Eight minutes later Luke Smith scored his first of the year for Wests as they started to carve up the Gunners’ midfield and defence with some well thought out passing and positioning.

Harry Sterling got his second goal in the evening in the 25^th minute as Gunners were caught napping again.

Wests continued to dominate the first half but could not finish.

Meanwhile, Gunners, after some readjustments, started to settle their play and looked a little better.

Five minutes from half-time. Torren Anderton scored from a simple tap in to give Gunners some hope.

As the second half began, Gunners returned to the field with some new-found confidence and slowed the game down. They slowly wrestled the midfield domination back from Wests and were playing the better football in complete contrast to the first half.

In the 62^nd minute Ike Sililat busted through the Wests’ defence to pull one back for Gunners.

Four minutes later Peter Collins found some open space just outside the Wests’ penalty box and blasted home his first goal of the season.

Now it was game on and both teams started lifting, looking for a winner.

Gunners looked the more likely, but Wests had their chances as well.

The match ended at 3-3.

It was a great fight back by Gunners from being 3-0 down at halftime; it was definitely a match of two completely different halves.

Best on the ground for Wests were, Harry Sterling, Jaimen Tunstall and Luke Smit, while for Gunners it was Darren Moseling, Zac Strauss and Peter Collins.

20130720 Gunnettes v Wests — The women’s match in Kingaroy was closer than the final scores indicated

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In one of the more entertaining women’s matches of the season Wests defeated Gunnettes 4-2.

Wests took the lead after 20 minutes through Jacqui Trace but just on halftime Anna Logan got an equaliser. Both teams were missing their key central defenders and captains, Chrissy McBride (Gunners) and Danielle (Maudsley) for Wests.

Seven minutes into the second half Trace scored her second, but a minute later Kristy Learmont scored for Gunners making it 2-2.

Three minutes later it was Trace for Wests again pulling back the lead for Wests and scoring her second hat trick of the season.

Ten minutes before full time Trace scored her fourth for the match and 19^th for the season.

The match was closer than the scores indicated but that one Wests player made the difference.

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In Second Division, Wests came up against a strong Gunners outfit which included Brody Hatchman who was unavailable for firsts due to another commitment.

It took only one minute for Gunners to score, the goal coming from veteran midfielder Kevin Barnes.

Gunners scored again in the fourth through Jason Tessmann as the Wests’ keeper struggled to hold onto the ball in slippery conditions.

In the 11^th minute Brody Hatchman scored from one of his magnificent runs down the right flank to make it 3-0.

Four minutes later, Shane Hall scored for Gunners from just inside the box.

At 4-0 down after 15 minutes, Wests were on the ropes however they played their way out of further trouble until Hatchman scored Gunners’ fifth in the 31^st minute.

At halftime, Wests switched keepers giving veteran Rob Firman a run between the sticks.

Wests’ play improved but still not enough to stop Brody Hatchman scoring another two goals in the 64^th and 69^th minutes.

In the end Gunners won 7-0, which was in contrast to their 5-0 defeat against Barambah the previous week.

Best for Gunners were Brody Hatchman and Kevin Barnes while for Wests, Mike Harley had one of his better games and Rob Firman should be applauded for his second half bravery in goals.

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In Nanango, the Barambah 2nd Division side gave Nanango their first taste of defeat this season.

However Nanango 1sts won 6-0 with four goals to Kieran Mangan.

The Nanango women got back to winning, beating Barambah 1-0.

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Congratulations to Nanango for winning the Minor Premiership in all three grades, a truly awesome effort by all their teams.

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In Nanango