4 matches in 6 days too much for injury depleted O35B’s

The double header took its toll on Dunbar O35Bs today with a poor 3-0 loss at Maroubra.

Having won yesterday with 10 men, we were able to get one more on the park to start with 11! But with no subs to rest some tired legs it wasn’t going to be easy.

That said Dunbar started well and got on top in the first 20 mins with a couple of speculative efforts the end product of some good play, but none really testing the Maroubra keeper.

Against the run of play though Dunbar conceded a soft goal. With several chances to clear the ball we conspired to give up play to Maroubra’s lively striker and he punished the errors made to tuck the ball passed an outstretched Taggy from the edge of the box.

Not learning from that lesson, five minutes later we again gave up possession easy to allow Maroubra to send the same striker free down the right and he had plenty of time the take a touch and finish neatly inside Taggy’s near post.

Growing in confidence after those two quick goals, suddenly the momentum shifted and the free flowing football shown in the first 20 mins by Dunbar was wanting. Now we were scrappy and struggling to get control of the ball, with Maroubra happy to lump the ball forward and chase.

Again the third goal came from another Dunbar error, with a pass intercepted near the edge of the box and a soft shot just enough to evade Taggy.

Half time it remained 3-0.

A few stern words and an adjustment to the line up, Dunbar had a much better second half, going close on a couple of occasions, but not enough to close the deficit.

Maroubra huffed and puffed but didn’t test Taggy either- it was one of those second 45 mins where the match just petered out. Dunbar just didn’t have the energy to press and we then lost Marko to a muscle injury with about 20 mins to go and Alex then hobbled off. With just nine men on the park it killed any hopes of a comeback.

So, 3-0 it finished.

The result doesn’t impact Dunbar’s league position – it will just be one of those games we quickly forget, in the knowledge that on a normal day with a full squad it would have been a comfortable win.

Now we await the league’s decision on the finals series to see who is up next. Hopefully a short break will give the injured players time to recover, and those tired legs that just completed 4 games in 7 days. Onwards and upwards.