By Martin Stern
Football South Burnett
August 12, 2014
After a weekend off for the Ekka holiday, senior football will resume this weekend with the semi-finals of the 2014 Evolution Solar Football League competition.
All six games will be played at Murgon Showground on “Super Sunday” (August 17).
The first match kicks off at 9:00am with the 2nd Division Elimination Semi between Wests and Gunners, with the winner earning a game in the Preliminary final and the loser eliminated.
The day culminates at 7:00pm with the kick-off in the Qualification Semi between Nanango and Barambah, the winner booking a Grand Final spot, the loser going to the Preliminary finals the following weekend.
If scores are level in regulation time, there will be an extra 10 minutes each way. If scores are still level after extra time there will be a penalty shootout. There will be a canteen, barbecue and bar available all day.
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Men’s Div 2 Elimination Semi-Final – Wests v Gunners – 9:00am
2nd Division has been the most closely fought out of the three divisions.
Wests have been playing some very good football but Gunners have improved in the last couple of weeks. In their last two matches Gunners have beaten Minor Premiers Nanango 2-0 and had a 1-1 draw with Barambah.
Wests have had a 3-3 draw with Barambah and a 0-0 draw with Nanango.
Last time the two teams met Wests claimed victory 2-0.
This will be a very close game and will possibly go to extra time.
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Men’s Div 2 Qualification Semi – Nanango v Barambah – 11:00am
The momentum of both these sides has stalled in the past few weeks.
Barambah has had draws with Wests and Gunners, while Nanango has had a loss to Gunners and a draw with Wests.
In their last meeting it was 3-1 to Nanango.
Both sides will really want to win this to go straight into the Grand Final, and not have to meet an in-form Wests or Gunners.
Another match that is hard to predict, but I lean towards Barambah with having the home advantage and a patriotic crowd on their side.
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Women’s Elimination Semi-Final – Barambah v Gunnettes – 1:00pm
Gunnettes’ only win of the season was against an under-manned Barambah.
As much as Gunnettes have improved this season with the incredible job that Tracey Clegg has done, I cannot see Gunnettes winning this game.
The teams met in the last match of the season and Barambah had a solid 3-0 win. In their previous meeting it was 4-0 to Barambah.
I think Barambah have too much strike power up front with Elle Mollenhauer and Sarah Kemp. However it is finals football and anything can happen on the day.
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Women’s Qualification Semi-Final – Nanango v Wests – 3:00pm
Nanango has had the edge over Wests this season, however Wests did inflict Nanango’s only defeat in 2014 back in June.
Cassie Kelly and Raegan Campbell have scored as many as the entire Wests team.
While Nanango has found the back of the net this season, Wests have struggled to score.
Wests’ success has come off the back of some strong defence from Danielle Maudsley and Chrissy McBride.
I am tipping Nanango in a very close game.
* * *
Men’s Div 1 Elimination Semi-Final – Gunners v Wests – 5:00pm
Both sides are able to play some attractive football but unfortunately form has been very patchy this season for both sides.
Wests have had problems with injury and availability of players, while Gunners are pretty much rebuilding their side after losing several key players to university in Brisbane.
Out of the five matches they have played this season, they have won one apiece and drawn three.
Gunners surprised an under-strength Barambah last weekend and narrowly lost 1-0 to Nanango the previous week.
Andrew Askin, who joined the side a few weeks ago, looked great next to Mitch Potter in defence and he can play just about anywhere on the park.
Ike Silalat will be out, possibly for the season, with a rib injury.
Wests will be looking to their maestro Marty Perrett to control things in the midfield. No doubt this will be a close game, but just leaning towards Gunners on their current form. Could go to penalties.
* * *
Men’s Div 1 Qualification Semi – Nanango v Barambah – 7:00pm
Nanango has gone through the season undefeated, which is a major achievement in any competition.
They have been the benchmark all season and there is absolutely no reason why they cannot go all the way again.
Coach Lauren Mangan seems to have kept her team focused despite them being miles ahead in all facets of the game compared with the others.
Games do not win themselves; you still have to go out and play them to get the results. Nanango’s challenge this season was to go through unbeaten. Their new challenge is to get to the Grand Final and win it.
Many have said that if anyone can beat Nanango this season, it is Barambah.
Barambah has scored the most goals against Nanango this season; however they have leaked many, too.
Nanango’s success has been in the midfield pairing of Kieran Mangan and Kieran Askin, both classy workhorses. Couple this with the success of Elliot Mangan moving up front and the reliability of their defence, they look to have every base covered.
Barambah’s strength lies in their midfield, especially Sheldon Livingstone. He always has time on the ball and has the highest work rate of any player in the competition.
Barambah also has strong midfield players in Jayden Mollenhauer and Luke Miller. Chris O’Loughlin has been strong in attack but has played recent matches filling in at the back.
Richard Boles has also been strong in attack, and they also have a handy striker in Brendan Kelly.
If their defence can hold, then Barambah will be a formidable opponent but I feel Nanango will be just a little too strong, especially in the final period of the game.
