A LAPSE in concentration in the closing minutes of their Premier League football encounter at Forrest Park, Bunbury cost the Dunsborough Towners dearly as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bunbury Dynamo on Sunday.
This is the second loss by the odd goal to the Towners in their opening two matches of the 2014 season having lost 3-2 to Hay Park last week.
But the signs of a strong season were evident in both matches once the new faces that have joined the club develop their understanding.
It was one of those new faces who made an immediate impression when Neil Maloney was named the Dunsborough Bakery player of the match.
There was a sense of foreboding in the days leading up the Dynamo clash with five key players unavailable because of holiday, work, injury and wedding commitments.
But it was the Towners who held a 1-0 lead at half time following Ethan Delatte’s stunning free kick from the halfway line in the 20th minute taking advantage of a strong breeze to float the ball into the net.
Generally, while there were few clear cut chances in the first half, it was a highly entertaining contest, a trend that continued in the second-half.
It was a major setback for the Towners in the opening minutes of the second half when striker Johnny Walsh was carried off with a serious ankle injury.
Following this incident and the position changes forced on coach Mark Gelmi Dynamo gradually established dominance without really threatening the Towners’ goal.
Two identical goals in the 70th and 87th minutes robbed the Towners of at least a deserved share of the points with lobbed passes over a static defence allowing Michael Evans and Mauro Gheza to run through and score the easiest of goals.
The points may well have come Dunsborough’s way but for two refereeing decisions with a dubious offside given against Michael Raper as he scored in the 72nd minute.
A clear penalty went begging in the 89th minute when Alex Sexias was hacked down in the penalty area.
Next week the competition will halt for the Easter break and will resume the following Sunday with the Towners meeting Australind at the Dunsborough Playing Fields.