Bunbury have defeated Carey Park by two points, in a low scoring thriller at Kelly Park on Saturday afternoon, in round ten of the Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League Premiership season.
The Bulldogs had to survive a kick after the siren which fell just metres short, recording a two point win over the Panthers, who have now lost three games by two points or less this season.
In perfect conditions before a healthy crowd, the Bulldogs got off to a flying start wtih Denholm King kicking the opening goal of the match, with Baiden Parsons converting a set shot soon after. The Panthers arrested momentum away from the Bulldogs in the second half of the quarter, with Rory O’Brien kicking truly after receiving a free kick, with Jordan Wallam kicking the Panthers second goal from long range.
Leading by just three points at quarter time, Bunbury started the second quarter like the first, with Joel Houghton kicking his first in the opening minutes of the term, courtesy of a free kick. It would be the only goal to the Bulldogs for the term, as the Panthers hit back hard, with goals to Kelvin Lawrence with a good running goal, and then to Eli Hill, which put the home side in front. Jordan Wallam took a juggling mark close to goal later in the quarter, which gave the Panthers a seven point lead at half time.
The third quarter was tight, with both sides defensive lines getting right on top, but it would be Carey Park who scored first with Jamie Meade converting from deep in the pocket to extend the home sides advantage. A free kick to Eli Hill gave the Panthers a twenty point lead at the fifteen minute mark of the term, and there were no obvious signs that would be the final goal that Carey Park would kick. A late goal to Joel Houghton reduced the margin to fourteen points, with the Panther still seemingly in control.
The final term was only two minutes old when Fraser Gilchrist took a good mark and kicked accurately, reducing the margin to just six points. Joel Houghton kicked his third with a clever snap at the ten minute mark of the last term, which would be the last goal of the match. Both sides had golden opportunities to kick the winning goal, but managed just behinds.
A free kick right on the siren to Enrique Aiken-Featherstone 53m from goal, deep in the pocket fell just metres short, as the Bulldogs held on by two points. Haydn Busher and Trae Field played well for Bunbury while Nic Le Roux continued his excellent form for the Panthers.
Bunbury will have the bye in round eleven, while Carey Park will be at home again next Saturday, with South Bunbury their opponent.
SCOREBOARD
Bunbury 2.4.16 3.6.24 4.8.32 6.12.48
Carey Park 2.1.13 5.1.31 7.2.44 7.4.46
Goals: Bunbury – Joel Houghton 3, Fraser Gilchrist 1, Denholm King 1, Baiden Parsons 1. Carey Park – Eli Hill 2, Jordan Wallam 2, Kelvin Lawrence 1, Jamie Meade 1, Rory O’Brien 1.
Best: Bunbury – Haydn Busher, Trae Field, Daniel Perks, Denholm King, Jordan McGinley, Fraser Gilchrist. Carey Park – Nicholaas Le Roux, Jamie Meade, Jaxon Bell, Connor Gadecki, Zane Verhaaf, Jude Harrop.
Ground: Kelly Park
Umpires: Ethan Davies, Khye Skoda, Cameron Valenti
Crowd: 835
