Soccer 22-Mar-14
Wests and Gunners fought it out to a 1-all draw at the season’s opener in Kingaroy on Saturday

March 24, 2014

by Martin Stern
Football South Burnett

Gunners and Wests matches always seem to bring out the best in both teams’ characters and Saturday’s season opener was no exception.

The first 25 minutes was very even with both teams getting the feel for the game.

Gunners slowly started to work their way into the match with striker Ike Sililat having a couple of opportunities.

In the 29th minute, Gunners scored through a Wests defensive error and Luke Vandenberg was gifted a simple tap in.

Wests pushed hard to try and get back into the game – the goal opened the play with both sides having good chances.

Wests came out in the second half showing more intensity and were rewarded when Hayden Francis equalised after breaking through the Gunners’ defence, giving Gunners keeper Hayden Mash ford no chance.

Both teams then went searching for a winner and again Ike Sililat used his turn of speed but could not finish on several occasions.

In a blow to Wests, they lost midfield playmaker Marty Perrett with a hamstring injury and Brendan Young had to come off for a spell with severe cramps.

This left Wests with 10 players for most of the second half, but they hung on defending bravely.

Wests’ skipper Litho made breaks through the Gunners’ defence on a few occasions and crossing the ball but there was noone there to finish.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw – a fair result for a hard-fought game.

Newcomer Neil Gurnett and Brendan McCarron both had solid games for Gunners, while Wests newcomer Bryan Phillips-Petersen and Skippa Litzow stood out for Wests.

Soccer 22-Mar-14
Wests played hard to equalise the match after Gunners scored early, and succeeded in the second half

* * *

Soccer 22-Mar-14
Wests mounted a formidable attack in the Women’s Division but the Gunnettes bravely held their ground
Soccer 22-Mar-14
Both teams played a passionate game

In the Women’s game, Wests were strong favourites to win against a less experienced Gunnettes.

Wests started the match on the attack but could not get on the scorecard in the first half.

New Gunnettes goalkeeper Rahab Murray saved shot after shot from Wests.

However, Wests kept pushing in the second half and in the 58th minute were rewarded when new signing Courtney Thompson broke through a tired Gunnettes’ defence to give her team the lead.

Gunnettes had a couple of chances on goal but Wests dominated the match.

However it was the Gunnettes’ defence that stood out in the match.

Best on the park for Gunnettes were Rahab Murray in goal, Steph Mumford and Sharna Raddatz.

For Wests it was Katrina Parsons, Michelle Hunter and Courtney Thompson.

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In the end, Wests prevailed against the less experienced Gunnettes but it will be interesting to see how both teams progress as this season unfolds

* * *

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Wests seemed to be at a bit of a loss in the 2nd Division season opener

Both Second Division teams were full of new faces with many youngsters making the move up from Cadets Division and a few old heads thrown in.

With so many new players the game did not really settle down and was fairly even.

Gunners had the best of the first half and in the 13th minute scored through youngster Gary Harold, who finished well.

The rest of the match went from end to end with neither team taking the initiative.

Gunners looked the better of the two sides, with veterans Steve Copas and Chris O’Rourke playing calmly.

However both sides have plenty of good young talent to work with and we should see some exciting football from both sides in the future.

Well done to all the youngsters!

Best on the park for Gunners was Hayden Steen, while Daniel Favier was the pick from Wests.

Soccer 22-Mar-14
Fancy footwork helped secure a victory for Gunners, but Wests weren’t as lucky

In Kingaroy:

  • 2nd Division: Gunners 1 (Gary Harold 13th) Wests 0
  • Women: Wests 1 (Courtney Thompson 58th) Gunnettes 0
  • 1st Division: Gunners 1 (Luke Vandenberg 29th) Wests 1 (Hayden Francis 47th)

* * *

Nanango put on an exhibition for their fans in their Division 1 game at home (Photo: Clive Lowe)

It was a goal fest in Nanango. In Division 1, Kyron Tunstall scored a hat-trick on debut with the other debutant Kieran Askin scoring one along with Thomas Mangan to beat a gallant Barambah.

Chris O’Loughin scored a brace for Barambah with the veteran Brendan Kelly scoring as well.

The Panthers were flying high …

… but the Bears didn’t stop trying
Eight goals were scored in the 1st Division match at Nanango (Photo: Clive Lowe)
Nanango’s women’s team were too strong for Barambah (Photos: Clive Lowe)

In the Women’s game, Nanango outplayed a 10-woman Barambah side. Raegan Campbell , Cassie Kelly and Jess Elrich scored braces and Gage Cooper scored one.

The Second Division sides drew 1-1 with goals from Andy Jensen for Barambah and Ethan Davies for Nanango.

In Nanango:

  • 2nd Division: Nanango 1 (Ethan Davies) Barambah 1 (Andy Jensen)
  • Women: Nanango 7 (Raegan Campbell 2, Cassie Kelly 2, Jess Ehrlich 2, Gage Cooper) Barambah 1 (Elle Mollenhauer)
  • 1st Division: Nanango 5 (Kyron Tunstall 3, Thomas Mangan, Kieran Askin) Barambah 3 (Chris O’Loughlin 2, Brendan Kelly)

[Nanango photos: Clive Lowe Photography]

* * *
Next week’s matches:

  • Saturday, March 29: Barambah vs Wests in Wondai – 2nd Div 12.30pm; Women’s 2.00pm; 1st Div 3.15pm
  • Saturday, March 29: Gunners vs Nanango in Kingaroy – 2nd Div: 2.00pm Women’s: 3.30pm
  • Tuesday, April 1: Kingaroy – 1st Div: 6.30pm

[UPDATED with correction]