Grand Finals On Saturday

20130824 2nd Division Barambah v Gunners — Barambah players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot out

August 25, 2013

by Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

The three teams which will face Nanango in the Evolution Solar South Burnett Football League grand finals were finalised in Kingaroy on Saturday (August 24).

In the Second Division preliminary final, Gunners took on an ever-improving Barambah United.

It was always going to be a close match-up.

At the end of the regulation 90 minutes both teams were scoreless.

Barambah came out of the blocks hard in the first 15 minutes of the match but Gunners held on. Some ruthless defence from Hayden Mashford and stand-in goal keeper Ike Sililat kept Barambah scoreless.

Gunners looked the more likely of the two in the second half but the Barambah defence could not be penetrated.

Chris Tookey, Richard Boles and Paul Bull were Barambah’s better players while Hayden Mashford, Brendan McCarron and Kevin Barnes played their hearts out for Gunners.

After 20 minutes extra time, both sides were still scoreless and Barambah went on to win the penalty shoot out 2–1, and a place in the Grand Final.

It is the first time in several years that a Barambah’s men’s side has made a Grand Final.

If Barambah play their disciplined game, they are a huge chance of winning the Second Division Grand Final.

* * *

20130824 Women's Wests v Barambah — Wests will face Nanango next weekend in the Women’s Grand Final

20130824 Women's Barambah v Wests — Barambah couldn’t convert their possession into goals

The Women’s preliminary final between Wests and Barambah was tipped to be a tight game and it was in many respects.

However Wests were on the scoreboard under a minute from the start when Casey Milsom received a pass, totally unmarked with only the keeper to beat.

Three minutes later it was Casey Misom again when she scored from wide out on the right, making no mistake.

With Wests leading by two after four minutes, the game was looking like a whitewash. However, Barambah made a couple of changes and started taking the game to Wests.

The second half belonged to Barambah. They had control of the midfield with Brena Murray linking up well with players up front; however their perennial goal scorer Elle Mollenhauer was tightly marked during the game.

Although Barambah had the majority of possession they could not get on the scoreboard.

Wests had a short golden patch of possession late in the second half.

Best for Wests were veteran defenders Danielle Maudsley and Mina Black and Casey Milsom did the job early for them.

Barambah’s best were Brena Murray, Celeste Purcell and Elle Mollenhauer who never stopped trying.

Wests will have to start playing for the full 90 minutes and sharpen their passing to keep possession if they are to beat Nanango on Sunday.

* * *

20130824 1st Wests v Gunners — Gunners are through to the Grand Final after defeating Wests in the 1st Division local derby

20130824 1st Division Wests v Gunners — Ike Silillat turned out for Gunners in both 2nd Division and 1st Division (Photo: Martin Stern)

Both sides had key players missing for the First Division preliminary final.

Wests have not missed out on a 1st Division Grand Final since 2008, while the last time Gunners were in one was back in 2009.

The local derby always brings out the best in both sides and this game was no exception.

The first half was a midfield battle with both defences holding tight.

It was not until the 55th minute that the deadlock was broken when Gunner’s midfielder Peter Collins put his side in front from a corner kick.

Five minutes later Gunners struck again when Brody Hatchman used his dynamic pace to score off a beautifully timed through ball from Ike Sililat.

Wests did not let their heads drop and a minute later Harry Sterling made a long run down the left flank and buried his shot to put Wests back in the game.

The pace of the game was constant and very fast. Both teams had a few chances but with five minutes to go Brody Hatchman found himself with only the keeper to beat to score his second and secure his side’s place in next week’s Grand Final.

It is difficult to find a stand-out player as everyone put in so much effort.

Peter Collins, Sam Murray, Brody Hatchman and Reuben Vandenberg-Dodt had wonderful games for Gunners while for Wests, Harry Sterling, Skip Litzow and Matt Krosh played well.

Gunners should push Nanango all the way in next week’s Grand Final with the display they showed this week.

* * *