April 22, 2015
by Martin Stern
Barambah returned to Murgon to take on visitors Wests on Saturday. Matches between these two sides are always hard fought, no matter where each team sits on the ladder.
In Second Division, Barambah pressed Wests for the first 20 minutes and were rewarded in the 17th minute through Ayden Connolly.
After restructuring some very ordinary defence, Wests found it easier to play out from the back which gave their forwards more ball.
Three minutes from half time Jack Fleming equalised for Wests.
Then five minutes into the second half, veteran Rob Firman found himself in some space and played a beautiful cross into Ryan Francis, who then planted the ball in the Barambah net.
In the 50th minute Wests, were awarded a free kick outside Barambah’s penalty box.
The kick slammed into the near post and popped out to the feet of Rob Firman, who was in the right place at the right time to give Wests a 3-1 lead.
There were several chances for both sides but none were taken and Wests walked away with the three points.
The best player for Barambah was Ryan Sommerfeld and for Wests, Rob Firman.
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The Women’s Division game was of good quality but both these sides will have to improve a lot if they are going to be a threat to Nanango this season.
Wests had the majority of possession, but Barambah defended very well.
Wests took many wrong options up front as well which didn’t help their cause.
Courtney Thompson eventually found the net for Wests in the 57th minute, followed by Hayley Hunter in the 66th.
Wests made hard work of the game but full credit to the Barambah ladies who never gave up to the final whistle.
Best for Barambah was Kristy Murray and for Wests, Danielle Maudsley.
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In First Division, Barambah had to double up its Second Division side apart from one player.
But Wests were close to full strength, with only Jayden Mollenhauer and Skip Litzow unavailable.
When Wests scored in the third minute of the game through defender, Mark Denham, I thought to myself as I was refereeing the game, that this would be a cricket score.
However to my surprise (and Wests’ despair), Barambah hang in there.
They lost Brad Vandekolk early with a serious leg injury and were down to the basic 11.
In the second half, Wests were getting frustrated as they had 80 per cent possession but could not convert it into goals or goal-scoring opportunities.
Barambah were down another player when Daniel Jensen sustained a knee injury.
Some great goal keeping from Aaron Vanderkolk and some desperate defence from Andy Jensen, who held Wests out until the 64th minute when Sheldon Livingstone scored Wests’ second from an individual run.
Congratulations to Wests on winning but a huge effort from the Barambah lads who put in a courageous performance.
Best on the park for Barambah was Andy Jensen and for Wests, Brandon Smith.
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In Kingaroy, Gunners hosted Nanango.
The Women’s and 2nd Division games were played on Saturday, but the First Division match was played on Tuesday due to a team wedding.
The woman’s match went to Nanango 7-0, and Seconds also went to Nanango 2-1.
But on Tuesday night, Gunners put in a huge effort to draw 1-1 with Nanango after being 1-0 down.
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Round 3 Results:
First Division
- Wests 2 (Mark Denham 3rd, Sheldon Livingstone 64th) – Barambah 0
- Gunners 1 (Joe Copas 69th) – Nanango 1 (Kieran Mangan 8th)
Second Division
- Wests 3 (Jack Fleming 37th, Ryan Francis 45th, Rob Firman 50th) – Barambah 1 (Ayden Connolly 17th)
- Nanango 2 (Ty Fleville, Jesse Lean) – Gunners 1 (Brendan Kelly)
Women’s Division
- Wests 2 (Courtney Thompson 57th, Hayley Hunter 66th) – Barambah 0
- Nanango 7 (Raegan Campbell 3, Cassie Kelly 2, Jess Erhlich, own goal) – Gunnettes 0
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There will be no games this Saturday because of Anzac Day. Instead, the next games will be held on Saturday, May 2:
- Wests v Gunners at Tom Alford Oval in Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy
- Barambah v Nanango at the Murgon Showgrounds in Macalister Street, Murgon
Junior football will play its first round of competition for 2015 at the Wondai Soccer Fields.
