‪#‎AA8Sat‬ vs Sydney CBD 7-1

The Domain 18/06/2016

With Dunbar coming off the back of two close, hotly contested defeats against the top two sides of the league, nothing less than a win was needed against CBD. Following their 9-0 pounding earlier in the season, CBD had claimed some big points so were not to be taken lightly, but confidence was high…. particularly given the fact the mercurial talents of Craig McMahon had returned from a holiday with his missus.

The morning began in rather peculiar circumstances when a man, who had more than an air of mystery about him, approached the Dunbar heroes to discuss the nuances of when a game should be called off. It would later transpire he was a “retired” ESFA referee who just “happened” to have his kit with him and offered to take charge of the game. Nobody thought to check his credentials so it was never confirmed if he was, indeed, an actual referee or a man with a rather abnormal fetish! (Though judging by some of his decisions, he never refereed a game in his life)

When the match kicked off, Dunbar were quick out of the blocks and asserted their dominance. An early breakthrough arrived after Pete/Steve delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Josh “9 chances, 1 goal” Manning. With an accuracy we have not really witnessed this season, Josh powered his header directly into the bottom corner. One can only assume he was looking to play it back across the box but Dunbar had the lead. The second soon followed when JRs powerful freekick was only parried by the keeper and Fletch was on hand to confidently slot home the rebound. After a confident start, Dunbar took their foot off the pedal, became stuck in the mud (literally) and allowed CBD back into the game. After a shaky spell where JP was clattered into next week, Dunbar nicked a third when Petch treated us to a delicious volley from another JR freekick. A fourth wasn’t far off when Dunbar showed their ruthlessness through a rapid counter attack when the enigmatic Craig McMahon delivered a peach of a through ball with the outside of the boot to the onrushing Manning who, somehow, slotted home for his second of the day. A fifth soon followed when JR leapt like a tiny salmon to head home from a throw in. In truth, the 5-0 scoreline at halftime flattered Dunbar who, after a promising opening minute, failed to show what they were truly capable of.

After an unconvincing start to the second half, any faint hope of a CBD comeback were put to bed the when McMahon played a delightful one-two with Ron “The Gnome F*cker” Izaks and tucked away the sixth. His unerring finish sparked wild celebrations on the sidelines and scenes not witnessed since the last throes of the Roman Empire!!! (Or was that just in my head?) With the three points in the bag, Hughsey made some tactical substitutions to allow the departing Ben Jackson a chance to sign off with a goal. And sign off with a goal he did when, after what seemed like an eternity of him screaming Rons name, he was played in by the Dutchman and side-footed home from 12 yards. CBD did manage a consolation goal when JR (who is the type of goalie that can be lobbed while standing on his line) was oddly enough, lobbed!

Three points was the most important order of business but an improved performance will be required from the Dunbar heroes when they face Queens Park next week and look for a strong finish to the season to secure a place in the finals.