By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
June 23, 2014
It was local derby time as Wests took on Gunners in Kingaroy on Saturday.
Both Gunners and Wests have been inconsistent this season in the men’s divisions.
But Wests’ women’s side has been playing well and is currently sitting in second position on the ladder, while Gunnettes had their first win last week against Barambah.
So all the matches promised to be interesting … and they were.
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Wests Grab Late Equaliser
After losses last weekend, both Gunners and Wests were desperate to pick up points in 1st Division.
The first half turned out to be a grinding encounter with virtually no shots on goal, a testament to how well both sets of defenders played.
Gunners missed their midfield ball player Peter Collins who was playing as goalkeeper because of a back injury which had sidelined Hayden Mashford.
However Hayden Steen stepped up to fill his shoes and he had a good duel with Wests’ counterpart Brandon Walsh.
Although no goals were scored in the first half, it was an entertaining match.
Five minutes into the second half, Ike Silalat chanced his arm with a snap shot at goal which beat the keeper to give Gunners the lead.
The goal opened the game up as Wests searched for an equaliser and Gunners looked for another.
In the 75th minute, Brandon Walsh hit the crossbar for Wests from a free kick.
Wests then mounted a wave of attacks on the Gunners’ goal but Gunners’ defence stood strong.
The midfield from both teams seemed to have disappeared and both teams were using the long ball.
With only a minute remaining, it seemed that Gunners would take the three winning match points but in the dying seconds Wests were awarded a penalty for a hand ball.
And Daniel Favier made no mistake, equalising for Wests.
Best on the paddock for Wests were Gary Favier, Brandon Walsh and Bryan Phillips-Petersen.
Best for Gunners were Hayden Steen, Mitch Potter and Neil Gurnet.
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Wests Edge Closer In Women’s Division
In the Women’s Division, both teams were full of confidence after wins the previous weekend.
Wests had inflicted defeat against high flyers Nanango, while the Gunnettes recorded their first win of the season against Barambah.
And to add extra spice, there is always intense rivalry between both of these sides no matter where they currently sit on the table.
Wests took the attack to Gunnettes early, but in the 15th minute panic in the Gunnettes’ defence led to an own goal.
Then just before half time, Courtney Thompson added to Wests’ lead after she buried a shot from a well-placed pass by Katrina Parsons.
Wests had plenty more chances but their finishing – as well as some great defence by Gunnettes – let them down.
Then in the 48th minute, Cassie Firman stretched Wests’ lead to 3-0.
Again Wests had many opportunities but could not finish.
Best for Wests were Cassie Firman and Courtney Thompson, while for Gunnettes it was Danielle Janz and Lucy Montgomery.
The result means that Wests now edge even closer to Nanango and have a game in hand against Barambah, which will be played this Wednesday night in Kingaroy.
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Wests Roll On In 2nd Division
Wests continue to be the big improvers in 2nd Division with a 2-1 win over Gunners this weekend – their fifth week in a row without a loss.
However Gunners gave them a great game in what turned out to be the best 2nd Division match so far this season.
In fact, the quality of the game was better than some of the 1st Division games this season.
Wests pushed the ball around and held possession well.
And in the 13th minute, Wests’ Ben Hunter put his side ahead after the Gunners’ defence opened up.
In the second half, though, Gunners started to pick up their game.
And they were rewarded in the 67th minute when Joseph Copas equalised for his side thanks to some sharp passing from fellow team-mates.
But Wests did not have long to wait before their lead was restored in the 70th minute through Andrew Cook.
The remainder of the match was intense, but Wests hung in to record a win.
Best for Wests were Aiden Penfound, Ben Hunter and Trent Faunt.
Best on the park for Gunners were Gary Honhold, Steve Langton and Jacob Copas.
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Full Results:
In Kingaroy:
- 2nd Division: Wests 2 (Ben Hunter 13th, Andrew Cook 70th) defeated Gunners 1 (Joseph Copas 67th)
- Women’s Division: Wests 3 (O.G 15th, Courtney Thompson 35th, Cassie Firman 48th) defeated Gunnettes 0
- 1st Division: Gunners 1 (Ike Silalat 50th) drew with Wests 1 (Daniel Favier 89th)
In Nanango:
- 2nd Division: Nanango 1 (Nick Krauksts 51st) defeated Barambah 0
- Women’s Division: Nanango 7 (Riley Campbell 33, Raegan Campbell 13th, 34th, Jacqui Downie 57th, 66th, Cass Kelly 15th, 63rd) defeated Barambah 0
- 1st Division: Nanango 3 (Kieran Mangan 21, Elliott Mangan 43rd, OG 78th) defeated Barambah 2 (Sheldon Livingstone 32nd, 79th)
UPDATE June 26: The Barambah v Wests women’s game in Murgon on Saturday has been postponed; 2nd Division will now play at 3:00pm and 1st Division at 5:00pm.
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A Big Thank You To Supa IGA
South Burnett football teams took a brief break during Saturday’s matches in Kingaroy to say a big “thank you” to Supa IGA and an unknown (but greatly appreciated) football fan.
Supa IGA recently ran a competition to provide a $2500 grant to a sports club, and the winner nominated Football South Burnett as the prize recipient.
Team members gathered in front of the Kingaroy clubhouse on Saturday to say a big “thank you!” for this wonderful donation, which will be used to help develop the sport in the region.
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Photos From Nanango vs Barambah
I normally only provide a match report for one of the two sets of matches played each week because my refereeing duties keep me pinned to one ground.
But this week I have a special bonus photo report from Saturday’s Nanango vs Barambah matches in Nanango, courtesy of Clive Lowe Photography.
Clive took his camera to the Burnett Street football fields and sent in these wonderful action shots of the clashes between the Panthers and Barambah United teams that I’m sure will delight all football fans.
There aren’t any captions, but I think these photos speak for themselves.
Thank you, Clive!
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