MR United have big win in front of huge crowd

Written by Patrick Marzohl Wednesday, 02 June 2010 12:31

Match Reports - Youth League Boys

MR United 6 def Dunsborough 2

For the first time this season, Margaret River United’s complete squad of 21 players was available on this cloudy Saturday morning, again captained by Mat Kevill. There was a real buzz in the team and the 80 spectators that came to watch this thrilling match.

The visitors from Dunsborough started well and created two scoring opportunities; however Jake Graebner-Bond in United’s goal stood solid. Jacob Connell was given the task to close down Dunsborough’s play-maker and he did it very well. After the initial drive by Dunsborough, the home team took control of the proceedings. Great play over the wings opened up Dunsborough’s well organised defence.

Benjamin Smith and Henry Rogers were a constant threat to Dunsborough. In the 10th minute, Sam Connell played a superb through pass to Mehdi Balkhi who ran away from his marker to score the first goal. The Margaret River midfield worked very well now with lots of supporting, talking and passing. Substitute midfielder Scott Guthrie-Phelps added a second goal for the home side in the 14th minute weaving through and outrunning Dunsborough’s defence. Harry Hick (17th) and Benjamin Smith (18th) scored two more goals in very similar fashion.

The team changed ten players bringing fresh energy onto the field. United was firmly in control of the match now with even the lesser experienced players holding positions well. Dunsborough however kept pushing on and in the 27th minute scored a goal that was ruled off-side. Only two minutes later they found the back of the net.

At half time, the players were reminded to keep up the strong passing game and to use the wings. This was put into practice with Aaron Locke on the right wing being utilised beautifully after kick-off but his shot landed in the side net. Aarons cross in the 30th minute found unmarked Mehdi in front of the goal but the ball went high.

Dan Raymond on the left created some openings and Margaret River recorded several good scoring opportunities. It was a very convincing display of football by the boys in yellow! Lewis Hayes played superbly in his new position as right back. In the 52nd minute, Sam Connell outplayed several Dunsborough players on top of the box. His fierce shot was unstoppable and Margaret River celebrated yet another goal. Scott nearly scored again but his volley missed the goal by millimetres. On the other end, a severe defensive blunder in the 60th minute allowed a Dunsborough forward to receive the ball unmarked in front of the keeper. In the tangle of rushing bodies the ball rolled into the goal.

This gripping game wasn’t over yet. A Margaret River goal in the 65th minute was disallowed for off-site, but United kept the pressure up. Finally, Dan scored from a rebound in the 68th minute after a Harry Hick shot the keeper could not secure.

United must be congratulated for the outstanding display of football and the huge improvement over the past weeks. The player-of-the-match award went to Harry Hick for a superb effort up front, and the improvement award went to Jacob Connell for a first class man-marking job. There is no game this Saturday but the team is preparing for the next two crucial encounters against the unbeaten competition leaders.