Bunbury Forum Force won their third straight All Flags State Premier League match and did the double over Armadale after posting a 1-0 win at Payne Park.

Bunbury assistant coach John Szeliga praised his side‘s ability to press the visitors, believing they could have won by even more in what was an open and entertaining fixture.

“The game was played on our terms, we had a lot of chances early and we were disappointed not to have walked away with four or five goals,” he said.

“I thought the guys played really consistent football and kept a good structure.”

The only goal of the match came after 20 minutes, when a ball crossed from the left found its way past the front post and through to an unmarked Jayden Prosser, who scored from close range into virtually an empty net.

It was the first genuine chance of the match after a subdued opening but it sparked the fixture into life, with Steve Howson unlucky not to double Bunbury’s lead 10 minutes later after turning around a couple of defenders.

Armadale, who lost Ian Maguire to injury midway through the half, then came agonisingly close to equalising when Billy Quinncroft’s 33rd-minute header cannoned off the post, and the resulting goalmouth scramble saw Ryan Montgomery produce two fine saves.

Seconds later, Armadale custodian Ellis Hawksworth took the spotlight, denying Jon Brooks with a superb save in a one-on-one situation.

The chances continued, and Bunbury’s Welsh defender Liam Hutchinson was the latest to save his side from conceding a certain goal, as an extraordinary goalline lunge prevented Dannie Richman’s effort after a superb run and cross from Alex Clarke.

Bunbury’s Howson then hit the crossbar with a header with the final chance in a frenetic end to the first half.

Tempers were tested shortly after the break, with robust challenges from Howson, Bunbury defender Oliver McGee and Armadale’s Jackson Bealey resulting in the trio all being booked within the first 10 minutes after the resumption.

Armadale then produced another moment of brilliance to deny Bunbury, as a one-two between Ryan Francis and Kenny Taylor saw the latter through on goal.

A perfectly timed Armadale challenge denied the hosts a clear chance, and the tackle needed to be perfect as any error would have resulted in a straightforward penalty and red card.

The final 30 minutes was lively, as the game opened up with both sides furiously attacking.

Armadale looked to make the most of counterattacks and set pieces, and despite some nervy moments for the home supporters, Montgomery’s goal was never really threatened late on.

Bunbury have turned their form around under new manager Trent Hathaway, with this win seeing them leapfrog Armadale into eighth spot.

Szeliga believed the turnaround in results was due to some of their work earlier in the season.

“It’s a nice little roll that we’re on now,” he said.

“Some of the hard work from earlier in the season is starting to pay off.”

He also named English midfielder Taylor as his man-of-the-match, and the young Englishman, recruited by Bunbury mid-season, said Hathaway had been responsible for changing the team’s fortunes.

“Since the new gaffer came in, there has been a new attitude,” Taylor said.

“We’re playing for each other and giving it everything.”


Bunbury Forum Force 1 (Jayden PROSSER 20’)
Armadale 0
Saturday July 27, 2013
Payne Park, Bunbury

Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Michael Jasinski
Assistant referees: Andrew Giorgi and Daniel Coyle
Crowd: Appx 100

Bunbury Forum Force: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY (gk), 2. Matt SPURLING, 3. Liam HUTCHINSON, 4. Oliver McGEE, 5. Ryan RISDON, 6. Chris BLACKBURN, 7. Jayden PROSSER (14. Bright ABABIO 63‘), 8. Kenny TAYLOR (15. Ryan STEWART, 90+2‘), 9. Steve HOWSON, 10. Ryan FRANCIS, 11. Jon BROOKS (12. Jarrad MORT 75‘)
Substitutes not used: 16. Lee STEWART, 20. Jamie OAKEY
Yellow cards: Oliver McGEE 50’, Steve HOWSON 52’, Matt SPURLING 90+1’
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: GK. Ellis HAWKSWORTH, 13. Sam LOVELESS (18. Brandon CATCHPOLE 81’), 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. Billy QUINNCROFT, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 8. Llewellyn BAKE, 6. Lance LOUVIE, 2. Dannie RICHMAN, 9. Ian MAGUIRE (3. Jackson BEALEY 25‘), 12. Alex CLARKE (7. Dennis GAYE JR 73‘), 10. Rhys LOXLEY
Substitutes not used: 1. Cyril SHARROCK, 17. Jack BAMBER
Yellow cards: Jackson BEALEY 55’
Red cards: Nil