Dunsborough Hit Margs For Six!

Saturday, 14 July 2007 20:00

The Dunsborough Towners hit Margaret River for six when the two clashed in their second division football encounter in Margaret River on Sunday.

It was an emphatic 6-3 win to the Towners and adds to the 9-1 hammering inflicted on River earlier in the season.

Not to be outdone Dunsborough’s fourth division side also racked up six goals in their 6-1 demolition of Dalyellup in Dalyellup on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the Women’s team unexpectedly lost 1-2 to Margaret River in Margaret River earlier in the day and in so doing lost their top spot in the second division.

It was a sparkling display from the Towners against a Margaret River who elected to use many of the premier league players.

It was clear they weren’t prepared to suffer a second heavy defeat in the league competition when they had to ability to take advantage of the weekly bye Dunsborough face.

To add consternation to Dunsborough’s position was the loss of two key players in dynamic full-back Cid Richards and speedy winger Keiran Smith.

Richards was serving a one week suspension following four cautions for the season to date while Smith was away in Borneo on holidays.

However, Dunsborough made light of these omissions and produced their best football of the season.

Their start was spectacular with midfielder Micky Doyle making a scything run through the midfield before releasing a perfect pass through the River defence to find striker Luke Taylor who angled a powerful shot inside the far post with only 21 seconds on the clock.

The euphoria was short-lived with Margaret River hitting back three minutes later with a similar pattern of play ending with Jon Richards slotting home.

John Crosbie was almost through for the Towners a minute later but goalkeeper Dylan Brown did well to smother the chance.

Two minutes later it was Dunsborough’s turn to live dangerously as full-back Nick Hartwell (man of the match) was in the right position to clear a certain goal off the line.

It was the courage of youngster Richard Olsen in the 17th min that finally paid dividends for The Towners when he chased a high floating through-ball from Doyle to challenge Brown for possession

Under pressure Brown spilled the ball that fell free for Crosbie to tap in from point blank range.

Four minutes later Hartwell demonstrated outstanding skill in winning the ball, dribbling from the midfield through the River defence before releasing a neat through pass to Steve Palmer who tenaciously chased the ball to tap under the onrushing Brown.

Again River came back in the 35th minute when Matt Newsome chased what looked like a lost cause to the byline, gained possession and then sidled along the line with goalkeeper Paul Andrews unable to prevent a clever goal from the acutest of angles.

With first-half time running out Taylor went wide to receive a pass before releasing perfectly placed high cross that eluded Brown to find Doyle who headed home from close range only to be ruled offside.

Seconds later Doyle returned the compliment when he floated high 25 metre free kick across the goalmouth for find Taylor on the far post who nodded home with the offside flag staying down on this occasion.

There was just enough time to restart the game when the whistle went for half-time.

The second half started disastrously for The Towners with a much strengthened Margaret River, bringing on additional premier league players, breaching the Dunsborough defence within the minute.

A low powerful shot deflected twice off Dunsborough defenders giving Andrews no chance.

There were hints that Dunsborough, who could call on only one substitute, were about to crack.

But in reality River could only manufacture the odd fleeting chance for the rest of the contest, and when midfielder James Trail was sent off by the referee in the 66th minute it proved an uphill battle from then on.

Defensively Dunsborough were well led by sweeper Wayne Perna, who put behind him an error that led to River’s first goal, to keep control of proceedings in the second-half. 

When Crosbie finished off a Hartwell cross in the 71st minute it ended the home side’s interest in the game.

The icing on the cake arrived in the 41st minute with Doyle, producing yet another strong performance in midfield, provided Olsen with the perfect ball to run on to and with only Brown to beat angled the shot inside the far post.

Dunsborough should have registered a much bigger score with four gilt edged chances falling their way late in the second-half against a dispirited River defence.

On each occasion with only Brown to beat players either struck the ball at him or missed the goal completely.

A repeat of the quality displayed on this occasion is vital this weekend if Dunsborough are to get anything from the game with second division league leaders Australind at the Dunsbrorough recreation Oval.