Bunbury Forum Force player-coach Matt Lock praised his side’s improved performance after their 2-0 win against Armadale in Round 6 of the All Flags State Premier League at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

“We played in dribs and drabs this season, but today we played well for 90 minutes which was pleasing, and we fully deserved the three points,” said Lock.

“We had some great service from the flanks today, we’ve worked on it at training and I thought Jon (Brooks) and Jayden (Prosser) were great. But in the first half we didn’t capitalise on their good work. We spoke about this at half time and we improved in the second half and got the rewards.”

“I was also really pleased with Ryan (Francis) up front today. When you play only one up front it a difficult job, but I thought he was great today and put in a great shift.

It was sombre start to the game with a moment’s silence held in respect for former Morley-Windmills President Karel Hofstee, who passed away during the week.

The visitors dominated from kick-off, and if it wasn’t for Armadale keeper Cyril Sharrock, the score could have been more favourable to the Force.

The Armadale custodian had to be alert to tip Bright Ababio’s shot around the post early, before he did even better on the quarter hour - this time superbly saving Francis’ shot at his near post.

It was one-way traffic, but Sharrock still kept the Force at bay, saving again from Francis, after good work from Jon Brooks on the left, before Oliver McGee headed over from eight yards.

Armadale’s cause wasn’t helped when Billy Quinncroft was sent off by referee David Bruce early in the second half for a reckless challenge.

The visitors then made them pay on the scoreboard seven minutes later. Liam Hutchinson’s corner was met by McGee, whose header was blocked on the line by Sharrock, but the rebound was bundled over the line by Francis.

Armadale continued to struggle against a tight-knit Bunbury side, but their best chance came on 70 minutes. Rhys Loxley’s free kick picked out Dannie Richman, but the midfielder’s shot from 10 yards whistled inches past the post.

The points were made safe for the visitors five minutes from time. Brooks was sent racing clear down the left and his cross found Chris Blackburn, whose header flew past the diving Sharrock, much to the delight of the travelling Bunbury supporters.

Armadale assistant coach Kevin Brophy said it was a fair result and thought the dismissal of Quinncroft changed the game.

“Bunbury deserved to win, we were disappointing today, we didn’t really turn up,” he said.

“We had a few players missing today, but that’s no excuse. We found it difficult to get our game going, and probably the games we’ve lost this season we’ve been out-muscled a little bit.

“The send-off was crucial as well, just as we were getting back into the game. It was a reckless challenge, and the referee reacted to the challenge, but I thought it was a 50/50 challenge.”

Armadale 0
Bunbury Forum Force 2 (Francis 61’, Blackburn 85’)
Saturday 20th April 2013
Alfred Skeet Oval, Forrestdale
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee – David Bruce
Assistants – Marco Castelli, Tom Dowle

Armadale: GK Cyril SHARROCK, 2 Dannie RICHMAN, 3 Jackson BEALY (14 Lance LOUVIE 25’), 4 Billy QUINNCROFT, 6 Nathan COSTELLO, 7 Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY (16 Sean NICHOLLS 68’), 8 Llewellyn BAKE, 10 Rhys LOXLEY, 13 Sam LOVELESS (12 Mitch CASTRILLI 77’), 16 Ian MAGUIRE, 17 Jack SALTER

Substitutes not used: RGK Tom ALLAN, 15 Jack BAMBER
Yellow Cards - Richman 37’, Louvie 37’
Red Cards - Quinncroft 53’

Bunbury Forum Force: GK Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2 Ryan RISDON, 3 Jarrad MORT, 4 Oliver MCGEE, 5 Liam HUTCHINSON, 6 Mark OSMOND (14 Matt LOCK 60’), 7 Jayden PROSSER (12 Aaron BRITTAIN 80’), 8 Chris BLACKBURN, 9 Ryan FRANCIS (13 Danny KANE 81’), 10 Bright ABABIO, 11 Jon BROOKS

Substitutes not used: RGK Jamie OAKEY
Yellow Cards – Brooks 47’, Osmond 53’, Risdon 64’