Prems make it to the round of 8 after win in Orange – Score : 5 – 2

After a 5 am start and a Grueling 4 hour drive complete with some questionable Swiss driving from Raquel Hunter P. A big thanks here to Marc Weeks and Redspot Car Rentals for supplying the team with 2 brand new 8 seater vans to get down there.
Our Men’s Championship side arrived at Sir Jack Brabham park in Orange at around 11 am to find it submerged under water. A quick hop down to the local mall for supplies amused all when they found photos of one of a certain squad member all over the walls in one of the local 2nd hand shops.
Then we made our way back to the ground to get onto the business part of the day. With the prospect of rescheduling the game to a week night not really an option the ref was convinced to play the game as long as no dangerous challenges went in.
Kick off was brought forward 20 mins as it was clear not much running would take place out on the puddle and what followed was more alike a game of underwater hockey than a football match. The puddles were actually responsible for more saves than either goal keeper although the Waratahs keeper did appear in inspired form.
An early attempt by Dunbar to play football through the middle saw the ball stop short about 10 yards of the intended recipient and the delighted local centre forward skipped through on goal to score at the third attempt.
Adopting to the chip instead of pass method moving the ball Dunbar quickly asserted themselves and took control of the tie, a fairly obvious handball in the box led to Dunbar’s first goal, coolly slotted in by Tim Bowman goal number 23 of the season for the inform hit man.
From here the result never looked in doubt and only the conditions and some curious shooting from the normally accurate James Yates kept the score line down. James did have the keeper beaten once but the puddle on the goal line ensured he wouldn’t trouble the scorers today…
Our other topless shower model Tommy Cook would find the back of the net though ensuring the ball and everyone near it crossed the line in style, before Aaron Richmond neatly converted a cross across the six yard box.
Just before the half Daniel Murphy popped up with his only meaningful contribution in the match, more on this later, turning his man in the box and completing the perfect swan dive complete with splashes. Tim Bowman again stepping up to put the penalty away, goal number 24 for the year, golden boot surely?
Half time saw a quick turn around and the referees dream of an early shower quashed when all the players opted to play on. A pretty uneventful half except for Charlie Fanner being lobbed from 50 odd yards, Luke Palmer with probably the only realistic goal of the game heading into the bottom right from a corner.
Then began the Daniel Murphy show, subbed at half time the rolling subs rule meant he could come back on. Asking for a chance up top promising goals on he went. Heading his first chance into the ground and over from 5 yards out on a pitch that hadn’t seen a ball bounce all day. He followed this up in style through one on one he sent his first shot directly at the keeper who parried it back, surely this time keeper well out of position, again he finds the keeper who is enjoying it at this point and parries it straight back to Dan for one last attempt. Not to disappoint Dan shoots straight at him again only a little harder this time, the keeper forced to push it round the post. The crowd are in raptures and Dan duly asks to be subbed back off.
Full time in Orange 5 – 2 and a bye in the 2nd round sees the squad straight into the round of 8.