Dunbar Rovers O35’s 7 – UNSW 1

So Dunbar’s flagship men’s team won the league tonight, demolishing nearest rivals UNSW 7-1 with a superb team performance on a cold, windy winter’s night at David Phillips.

A formidable back four of Pope, Harris, Bryan & Turvil was complemented by the quality of Stuart, Webb & Stubbs in midfield, with a highly experienced front 3 of Philby, Lara (Adrian) & Heading.
Only this was the just list of players unavailable for this crucial game.

Such is the depth and quality of this squad that despite missing 10 top class players, the gaffer still had some tough decisions to make with the starting 11.
At one stage it looked like Dunbar were going to suffer their first loss of the season by forfeit- with the team kit still under the care of the missing Philby.
Fear not, clubman of the week Christophe, still buzzing from the French World Cup win, made a few calls, jumped on his moped and returned 30 mins later with an all age kit. Cheers lads! Actually by kick off we had 3 kits, thanks to Si and Mini for responding to the SOS sent out by de Sousa in a mild panic before the game.

The presence of talisman Pete Satos had the boys buzzing before kick off. Except Matty Pickover who just gave him evils and the smallest shirt he could find in the bag. With Pete making more comebacks than Cher in recent years, the boys were wondering if he could turn back time and still find the back of the net. Satos started on the bench alongside heartbroken (and still very bitter) quarter-Croatian Tyrone Lara and the gaffer himself.

Jimmy GUYB Meyer arrived shortly before kick off after yet another long day of keeping us all safe, much to the relief of Mo who was waiting for the tap on the shoulder to get the gloves on.
Back four of DK, V, Greg and Mal set out to keep yet another clean sheet, with Mo providing the defensive security in midfield allowing Fee and Wall to go wandering all game. After an exhilarating display in training Ads started on the left, Matty as the 9 and the Frenchman was just loving life and happy to play on the right.

First half Dunbar played more on the counter than usual, creating numerous chances that went begging including some notable misses from Feego, Hafize and Pickover.
Uni looked dangerous from set pieces but were missing a few regular players and didn’t cause too many problems for the back 5 in open play.

The opener came from a tremendous free kick from Hafize, at least 40 yards out next to the sideline. Using the wind to great effect, Adam used the decoy runs of the big lumps and smashed it into the top right corner of the goal. 1-0 Dunbar with de Sousa claiming the assist for telling V to get off the free kick and give it to Adam.
Dunbar’s second was one of the moves of the game. Hafize broke down the left wing, centered for Fee who switched play right to Ginola. Nathan made his customary 3rd man run and after receiving the ball from Chris delivered an inch perfect cross to Fee at the back post who couldn’t miss this time. 2-0

Mo was winning a lot of aerial balls and protected the defence well, as well as launching a number of 40 yard throw ins that Dunbar couldn’t convert. 2-0 at half time and into the sheds for a cup of bovril and a hot water bottle.

Uni pegged one back finishing a scramble in the box to make it interesting early in the second half, however Dunbar then just stepped it up another gear and scored another 5 goals and could have had 5 more.
The gaffer brought on Satos and the hero of the 2008 champion of champions final scored a bullet header with his first competitive touch since 2010. Just magic! All thanks to some classy work on the right from Matty P. Satos then slotted home another to make it 4-1 and almost had a hatrick with a chest control and volley on the turn destined for the top corner but somehow the Uni keeper made the save of the season to keep it out.

Dunbar were relentless, with ginola capping off the best week of his life with a cool finish to make it 5 (let’s hope he finishes the snags at bunnings tomorrow with as much style). Tyrone cracked a smile for the first time since the Croats knocked out everyone’s second favourite team 8 days ago, finishing a blistering run with a Brazilian style toe poke. (Mis-hit).
Finally mr Duracell got the goal his work rate deserved after another cross from Matty P down the right, and Nathan’s visiting father-in-law Colin was gleaming with pride and finally realized what his daughter was doing all those years ago.

The massive crowd of the Dunbar engine room of Lyndall, Sweeney, Dale and Millsy went mental at the final whistle as Dunbar won the first silverware of 2018. Thanks for supporting despite the elements!
Thanks also to the mystery man on the far side with his sidekick Murphy who was providing minute by minute coverage for the Dunbar contingent unable to make the big game. Your support is appreciated!

Job done, league secured. Congrats lads. Terrific season so far, despite the disappointment of losing the state cup semi final. Competition will be intense to make the champion of champions 18 man squad, so all to play for.

Winning the league with a quarter of the season remaining is a fantastic achievement, but this squad is determined to remain unbeaten and break all records on the way.
Bring on the last 5 games of the season and more celebrations at The Village Inn

Feego

MoM- Pete Satos
Clubman of the week- Christophe
Supporter of the match – Colin