The Dunsborough Towners qualified for the final of the Premier League’s South West Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hay Park at the Dunsborough Playing Fields on Sunday.
This the second year in succession the Towners have given themselves a chance to take home some silverware after they beat Australind in the final of the Pioneer Cup last year.
This time they will face Bunbury Dynamos who upset the unbeaten Bunbury United 2-1 in the other semi final.
The Towners pace, width and penetration had Hay Park floundering in the first half which laid the foundation for Dunsborough’s success.
Within two minutes winger Reuben Gelmi outpaced his marker to the byline and hit a fierce ground shot that rebounded off a defender for an own goal.
Ethan Delatte, with his usual calmness, increased the lead eight minutes later from the penalty spot and in the 23rd minute Kaden Heathcote’s blistering speed saw him run clear, take possession of a high through ball and slot home.
The Towners should have put the game to bed by halftime from the chances they created, though Hay Park wasted a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 40th minute.
It was the best half of football by Dunsborough this year and it proved difficult to pick out any player more deserving than others for the Dunsborough Bakery man of the match award which midfielder Anthony Livanos won.
A comfortable, cruising Dunsborough were suddenly reduced to panic in the 59th minute when influential midfielder John Brooks reduced the margin for Hay Park from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later the Towners were rocking when he was given time and space to pick his spot to score a second goal and place the outcome on a knife’s edge.
But, apart from a crazy moment in the 70th minute when Hay Park was awarded an indirect free kick one metre from the Towners goal line that caused minutes of confusion, goalkeeper Justin Barker was rarely tested for the remainder of the game.
On the other hand Dunsborough had three moments with only the goalkeeper to beat but lacked composure at the vital moment.
Midland Brick Player of the year award. Votes: Anthony Livanos 3, Chris Blackburn 2, Johnny Walsh 1.
