Marko “Pierre” White – Feast of goals at the NCIE
It was an early morning start for Dunbar O35Bs with the 9am berth to kick off the day’s football against Easts at the always impressive set up at NCIE.
The boys quickly got into a good tempo to continue the fine form from last week’s win over Coogee As.
Both Smithy and Marko got shots away as Dunbar dominated the early stages.
In the ascendancy, and with plenty of short sharp passing and movement off the ball, Dunbar got what they deserved when Graham White timed his run into the box to meet Alex Lopez’s low cross. The Easts keeper did well to save the first effort, but White was able to tap home the rebound.
Easts, offering virtually no real threat, suddenly found themselves level when a through ball was hit first time by the striker to surprise Taggy and beat his dive low to the right.
Thankfully Dunbar kicked on and quickly got themselves back in front when Marko collected Smithy’s smart through ball to smash home into the top corner from the edge of the box, to claim his fourth of the campaign.
That was the pattern for the rest of the half with further chances falling to Smithy and Marko, and Wiggins also going close with a couple of strong headers from set pieces. There was also a good claim for a spot kick when Alex Gomes was bundled over by the Easts full back, but the ref opted for a free-kick instead.
Going into the sheds only 2-1 up Dunbar will be disappointed they didn’t kill the game in those first 45 minutes. To add salt into the wound Smithy was forced to withdraw with what looked like the same ‘hammy curse’ that took out Graeme Killender last week.
Re-shuffling the deck to account for the injury, the second-half continued in much the same pattern, with Dunbar in complete control.
A third goal was needed to settle the nerves and it deservedly arrived at the 60 minute mark. White picked up a loose ball outside East’s box to find space and wrong foot the keeper with a low shot from the edge of the box to complete his brace.
At 3-1 Dunbar had the breathing space they needed and despite a free kick from the edge of the box and a couple of attempts by Taggy to gift a goal, Easts rarely troubled us. The Dunbar back four was solid again and Hodges having easily his best game of the season at left back.
But not to be out-scored Marko then got his brace and Dunbar’s fourth when he latched on to Pfister’s neat pass to drive home, giving the East’s keeper no chance. That was Marko’s fifth of the season – he’s looking more mobile and like his old self now that his knee is all sorted, which bodes well for the campaign.
Happy with his lot, Marko withdrew himself and the two Alex’s led the Dunbar line.
The best chance to add to Dunbar’s tally fell to Lopez when White’s unselfish pass offered him an empty net, but despite having the goal at his mercy, he somehow managed to hit the upright.
Despite that golden opportunity it seemed Dunbar’s fifth had arrived in the final minute when Giggsy’s pass into the box was left by White to beat the keeper. But to everyone’s surprise the man in the middle adjudged White was offside, waving away protests. Final score 4-1.
Another satisfying performance from the 13 on the park. Solid individual efforts from everyone and another important three points that puts Dunbar O35Bs into the top half of the table on nine points. Next up Waverley Old Boys on the new synthetic pitch at Moore Park, where we’ll be looking for another win to maintain this current run.
Scorers