Bunbury Forum Force 2
Western Knights SC 0
Written by Daniel Bodycoat
In Round 13 of the All Flags State League Division 1 Competition, Western Knights travelled to Payne Park to challenge the top placed Bunbury Forum Force. However, akin to the name of the pitch, Bunbury brought the pain to a Knights team that was missing a few key players due to suspension.
A big shout for a penalty occurred in the very early stages of the game as Steve Purton was tackled from behind. To the dismay of the crowd, the referee shook his head.
A deep lob ball from Bunbury left their striker one on one with the Knights keeper, Sam Hutchinson. The chip went well wide of the goal to the relief of Western Knights.
Bunbury continued to relentlessly attack but desperate lunges prevented the Knights from falling behind. There was a lack of coherence regarding the Knights’ ventures forward.
The second half started and the first goal arrived. Bunbury ran straight through the middle of the Western Knights team and Hutchinson could only manage to get a finger from the strike.
With only 15 minutes left, a Bunbury corner nearly put the game out of reach for Western Knights but Hutchinson tipped it over. The resultant corner forced another exceptional save from the Knights’ keeper as he pushed the shot onto the bar before being cleared.
Solid defending allowed Western Knights to have a glimmer of hope but Bunbury would soon prove why they were the league leaders.
Bunbury managed to pass the ball out wide to their winger who cut towards the goal. His volley flew right past all of the Knights defenders and straight into the back of the net. This second goal allowed Bunbury to seize control of the game and they effectively stopped any resurgence from Western Knights.
In the dying embers of the contest, a reflex save prevented further disappointment for Western Knights and the scored remained 2-0.