Barambah Holds Wests

20130727 Barambah v Wests — Barambah and Wests matched each other in 1st Division

July 29, 2013

by Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

With only one round to go, Barambah travelled to Kingaroy to take on Wests in a prelude to the Elimination Semi-Final in the Evolution Solar South Burnett Football competition.

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In 1st Division, both sides have played some very good football this year but their form has been patchy.

Wests hit the lead early in the seventh minute with a hard, long-distance, well-judged speculator from Rex Parsons which bounced over the goal line off the crossbar.

However Barambah kept their heads up and continued to match Wests all over the park.

In the 26th minute Brendan Kelly hit back after beating a couple of Wests’ defenders.

The first half produced a great midfield battle as both sides tried to look for an advantage before halftime.

The second half started at a lively pace as both teams looked for an advantage. Ten minutes into the second half, Barambah went ahead with a long-range missile from Andrew Fennell.

A minute later Wests caught the Barambah defence napping when Rex Parsons scored his second of the night, latching on to a through ball inside the box.

Wests started to get the upper hand towards the end of the second half but although tired, the dogged Barambah defence held on to secure a point and show they will mean business in this year’s finals.

Best for Wests were Rex Parsons, Jaimen Tunstall and Harry Sterling while for Barambah, Chris Tookey, Kyle Fazackerley and Daniel Kelly were the best on the park.

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20130727 Wests v Barambah — Jacqui Trace lines up a kick at goal for Wests … unsuccessful

In the Women’s game, Wests scored a last-second winner to beat Barambah 2-1 in one of the most exciting matches of the season.

Wests put the pressure on Barambah early with a good combination between Casey Milsom, Jacqui Trace and Michelle Hunter.

In the 20th minute, Hunter scored for Wests from a pinpoint cross from Trace.

In the 31st minute Wests were awarded a penalty but Barambah keeper Sarah Jensen kept it out.

Wests, and particularly Trace, had several chances to put Wests further ahead but it wasn’t to be her day.

Barambah came out firing in the second half and in the 40th minute Elle Mollenhauer found the back of the net.

Barambah continued to attack and really take the game up to Wests however they could not capitalise on their possession.

Wests made several counter attacks and with seconds to go, Cassie Firman blasted a shot home from just outside the penalty box to give Wests the win and the three points.

Best on the park for Wests were Mel Hall, Cassie Firman and Michelle Holland while Lesleigh Fisher, Celeste Purcell and Samantha Sewell were great for Barambah.

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The in-form Barambah 2nd Division side continued their winning ways thumping Wests 5-0.

Wests started the game well enough and held possession.

Rob Lange had a chance to give Wests the lead from a shot off a smart Mike Harley through ball, but he hit the woodwork.

In the 30th minute, Brendan Kelly capitalised on a Wests’ defensive error the give Barambah the lead.

Five minutes into the second half, John Burton made it 2-0 to the visitors, finishing off from a fine cross.

Barambah continued to dominate and in the 59th minute Chris O’Loughlin made it 3-0.

Wests made a few counter attacks but could not finish in front of goal.

With seven minutes remaining Chris O’Loughlin got his second of the afternoon running onto a through ball.

With only a few minutes to go, Barambah keeper Brad Vanderkolk was substituted and had a run on the field. Thirty seconds later he could not believe his luck when he slotted home a goal from a through ball to give Barambah a 5-0 win.

Best on the park for Barambah were Chris O’Loughlin and Chris Tookey while for Wests Rob Lange and Mike Harley had great games.

It has been great to see Barambah improve throughout the season and I am sure they will cause some heartbreak to the other clubs during the finals series.

20130727 Walking Wounded — Gunners’ walking wounded … Bailey Raines and Ryan Mooney

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Meanwhile, in Nanango the hosts won in all three grades against Gunners.

Gunners were without eight or nine 1st Division players and it appears they may have lost star defender Bailey Raines for the season with a serious knee injury, as he joins Ryan Mooney and Mitch Potter on the Gunners’ casualty list.

Nanango women kept to their winning ways easily accounting for Gunnettes.

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Next weekend is the end of the regular season fixtures.

Then after a week’s break, football returns with the semi-finals in Murgon.

All six semi-final matches will be held on Sunday, August 18, starting at 9:00am.

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Results:

In Kingaroy