{"id":61253,"date":"2014-03-23T23:59:29","date_gmt":"2014-03-23T13:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=61253"},"modified":"2020-12-04T15:04:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T05:04:44","slug":"wests-share-points-in-gutsy-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/03\/23\/wests-share-points-in-gutsy-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Wests Share Points In Gutsy Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Soccer<\/a>
Wests and Gunners fought it out to a 1-all draw at the season’s opener in Kingaroy on Saturday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 24, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Martin Stern<\/strong>
\nFootball South Burnett<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gunners and Wests matches always seem to bring out the best in both teams’ characters and Saturday\u2019s season opener was no exception.<\/p>\n

The first 25 minutes was very even with both teams getting the feel for the game.<\/p>\n

Gunners slowly started to work their way into the match with striker Ike Sililat having a couple of opportunities.<\/p>\n

In the 29th minute, Gunners scored through a Wests defensive error and Luke Vandenberg was gifted a simple tap in.<\/p>\n

Wests pushed hard to try and get back into the game – the goal opened the play with both sides having good chances.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

This left Wests with 10 players for most of the second half, but they hung on defending bravely.<\/p>\n

Wests’ skipper Litho made breaks through the Gunners\u2019 defence on a few occasions and crossing the ball but there was noone there to finish.<\/p>\n

The match ended in a 1-1 draw – a fair result for a hard-fought game.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer<\/a>
Wests played hard to equalise the match after Gunners scored early, and succeeded in the second half<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/center><\/p>\n
\"Soccer<\/a>
Wests mounted a formidable attack in the Women’s Division but the Gunnettes bravely held their ground<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Soccer<\/a>
Both teams played a passionate game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the Women\u2019s game, Wests were strong favourites to win against a less experienced Gunnettes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Wests started the match on the attack but could not get on the scorecard in the first half.<\/p>\n

New Gunnettes goalkeeper Rahab Murray saved shot after shot from Wests.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Gunnettes had a couple of chances on goal but Wests dominated the match.<\/p>\n

However it was the Gunnettes’ defence that stood out in the match.<\/p>\n

Best on the park for Gunnettes were Rahab Murray in goal, Steph Mumford and Sharna Raddatz.<\/p>\n

For Wests it was Katrina Parsons, Michelle Hunter and Courtney Thompson.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer<\/a>
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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/center><\/p>\n
\"Soccer<\/a>
Wests seemed to be at a bit of a loss in the 2nd Division season opener<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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. <\/strong><\/p>\n

With so many new players the game did not really settle down and was fairly even.<\/p>\n

Gunners had the best of the first half and in the 13th minute scored through youngster Gary Harold, who finished well.<\/p>\n

The rest of the match went from end to end with neither team taking the initiative.<\/p>\n

Gunners looked the better of the two sides, with veterans Steve Copas and Chris O\u2019Rourke playing calmly.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Well done to all the youngsters!<\/p>\n

Best on the park for Gunners was Hayden Steen, while Daniel Favier was the pick from Wests.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer<\/a>
Fancy footwork helped secure a victory for Gunners, but Wests weren’t as lucky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Kingaroy:<\/strong><\/p>\n