By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
July 21, 2014
The weather was cold but the action was hot in soccer matches played in Murgon and Kingaroy on Saturday.
Nanango travelled to Murgon to take on Barambah, who are always a tough opponent at home.
In Second Division, Barambah needed a win to jump Nanango and go into second position while a win for Nanango would go a long way to winning the Minor Premiership.
Meanwhile, a win for Barambah Women’s Division would give them an outside chance for second position, while a win for Nanango would give them the Minor Premiership.
And First Division was a dress rehearsal for the Qualifying Semi Final.
So – all in all – there was plenty to play for.
* * *
Nanango Out-Muscle Barambah
In Second Division, Nanango edged closer to the Minor Premiership with a hard fought 3-1 win.
The match was played in windy conditions on a dry pitch, making ball control a challenge.
Spectators saw the first goal in the 24th minute when Aydan Connolly put Nanango ahead.
Both teams had their chances, but finishing seemed to be a problem.
Three minutes into the second half, Nick Krauksts scored Nanango’s second.
Barambah pressed for a goal but the strong Nanango defence and some good goalkeeping from Trevor Adams kept them out.
Nanango started stringing some good passes together, and in the 65th were rewarded when Aydan Connelly scored his second in the 65th minute.
To their credit Barambah did not give up and in the 70th minute John Shaw pulled one back for his side.
Barambah continued to search for more goals but were beaten by the clock.
Best on the paddock for the Panthers were Nick Krauksts, Damien Corson and Aydan Connolly, while for Barambah it was Ryan Sommerfeld, Sam Kemp and Aaron Vanderkolk.
* * *
Panthers Take Out Minor Premiership
Despite a flattering score line, the Nanango side didn’t have it all their own way in the Women’s Division clash.
Barambah defended gallantly, and it took a long range shot in the 20th minute from Cassie Kelly to get Nanango on the score sheet.
Two minutes later it was back to the drawing board for Nanango when they scored an own goal in a defensive mix up.
This seemed to wake the Panthers up and pretty much from the kick off Gage Cooper pulled the game back in Nanango’s favour.
In the 28th minute it was Cooper again who scored to make it 3-1 to Nanango at half time.
In the second half, Barambah pressed forward and put a lot of pressure on the Nanango defence.
In the 51st minute the Panthers broke forward against the run of play and Cassie Kelly scored her second of the day to extend the lead.
Barambah continued to press forward but the Nanango defence held and with five minutes to go Nanango scored on a quick counter attack through Raegan Campbell.
Best on the park for Nanango were Jacqui Downie and Cassie Kelly. while for Barambah it was Samantha Sewell and Celeste Purcell.
* * *
Nanango Too Strong In Firsts
Nanango continued their unbeaten run in First Division with a classy exhibition against Barambah in a dress rehearsal for the Major (Qualifying) Semi Final.
The task was not made any easier with their two central defenders (Ashley Burns and Dan Kelly) absent.
In the 6th minute, Nanango were awarded a free kick 18 metres out. Free kick specialist Kieran Mangan put it round the wall and into the back of the net to give Nanango an early lead.
Barambah did not let their heads drop, though, and Joel Sommerfeld playing as striker caused the Panthers a few problems.
But in the 34th minute “Golden Boot” nominee Elliot Mangan put Nanango further ahead, and five minutes later Barambah’s woes continued when Elliot Mangan was brought down in the penalty box.
Kieran Askin made no mistake with the dot shot to make it 3-0.
Nanango continued their clinical display in the midfield but their finishing was a little lacklustre.
In the 65th minute, Steve Johnston made it 4-0 and in the 82nd minute Damien Walters made it 5-0 against a very tired looking Barambah team.
With two more games left, it is a good bet that this amazing Panthers team will go through the semi finals undefeated, something they can be very proud of.
Best for panthers were Kieran Askin, Kieran Mangan and Elliot Mangan, while for Barambah it was Luke Miller, Sheldon Livingstone and Joel Sommerfeld.
* * *
One Win, Two Draws For Wests
In the local derby in Kingaroy, Wests won 2-0 over Gunners in Second Division; the Women’s Division had a nil-all draw with Wests missing out on any chance of the Minor Premiership; and in Firsts it was a 1-1 draw.
Top Goal Scorers:
- Division 1: Elliott Mangan (N) 15, Kieran Mangan (N) 12, Chris O’Loughlin (B) 11
- Division 2: John Shaw (B) 10, Joseph Copas (G) 5, Aydan Connolly (N) 5
- Women’s Division: Elle Mollenhauer (B) 20, Raegan Campbell (N) 14, Cassie Kelly (N) 1
Full Results:
In Murgon:
- 2nd Division: Nanango 3 (Aydan Connolly 24th, 65th Nick Krauksts 43rd) Barambah 1 (John Shaw 70th)
- Women’s Division: Nanango 5 (Cassie Kelly 20th, 51st Gage Cooper 23rd, 28th Raegan Campbell 59th) Barambah 1 (Own Goal)
- 1st Division: Nanango 5 (Kieran Askin 6th, 39th Elliot Mangan 34th Steve Johnston 65th Damien Walters 82nd) Barambah 0
In Kingaroy:
- 2nd Division: Wests 2 (Jack Flemming 25th, Andrew Cook 48th) Gunners 0
- Women’s Division: Gunnettes 0 Wests 0
- 1st Division: Gunners 1 (Kyle Johnston 66th) Wests 1 (Ryan Steele 38th)
