THE Dunsborough Towners qualified for the semi-finals of the South West Cup with a morale boosting 4-2 victory in a typical local derby battle with Busselton at the Dunsborough Playing Fields on Sunday.
While the Towners claimed the honours, Busselton once again demonstrated a do-or-die attitude with a revamped young squad that promises a bright future for the club if they stay together over the next few years.
In the end it was Dunsborough’s experience, especially in defence, that was the difference with full-back Phil Turtle named the Dunsborough Bakery man of the match.
By the 20th minute mark the Towners had established a strong platform for victory when Reuben Gelmi scored with a sensational 30 metre goal and perpetual dynamo Johnny Walsh seizing on a fumble by goalkeeper Connor Polyket to loop the ball into the far corner.
Busselton hit back in the 31st minute in strange circumstances when the ball crossed the goal-line for a goalkick only for it to be scooped back to hit the corner flag and rebound onto the field of play.
The Towners’ defence stopped waiting for a whistle that never came allowing Eric Ryan to take an uncontested pass to score with a perfect first time volley.
Busselton then forced Dunsborough on to the back foot in the 51st minute when Zac Humble found himself free to equalise for Busselton from close range.
However, any thought of the Towners losing disappeared in the 66th minutes when Michael Raper nipped in on a Polyket fumble to restore the lead and Anthony Livanos accepted a square pass from Walsh seven minutes later to score into an empty net.
The strong finishing Dunsborough should have had another goal in the 80th minute when an Ethan Delatte fierce ground shot slipped through Poleyket’s hands over the line but the unsighted referee waved play on.
It was not a good day for the reserves where David Condiri, the Wine Growers man of the match, scored a sensational long distance goal while the Towners to lost 5-1.
The women also ended their interest in the Cup going down 7-0 to Busselton with Candice Winder being named the Capes Dry Cleaners player of the match.
Midland Brick Player of the year. Votes: Phil Turtle 3, Chris Blackburn 2, Michael Raper 1.
Reserves. Bootleg Brewery Player of the year. Votes: David Condiri 3, Jame3s Happ 2, Brent Hillyard 1.
Women. Peko Peko player of the year. Votes: Candice Winder 3, Joey Schleuter 2, Marissa De Francesco 1.
Photos by Sophia Clements.
