Soccer: Force focus on Rockingham target

After struggling to finish against a committed Dianella White Eagles last week and winning 4-2 in a match they should have blitzed, the Bunbury Forum Force have sharpened their spearhead and now have it aimed directly at Rockingham City tomorrow night.

Leading goalscorer Neil Chappell has declared himself fit and returns after a leg injury and is likely to lead the attack against Rockingham City.

Last weekend’s result tightened the Force’s grip on their Football West First Division leadership with the news that second-placed high scoring Shamrock Rovers dropped points to Ashfield.

In his first full start for the Force, Corey Cullen showed skill and scoring nous with the first two goals and with potent, pacy wingers Jon Brooks and improving teenager Jayden Prosser to feed a strike force of Chappell, Cullen and Rory Binnie the Force statistic of 38 goals for and 10 against to sixth placed Rockingham’s 16 for and 18 against look ominous.

It could also be third time lucky for the Force who have put together two unspectacular shows but still won easily.

The pressure was on against an unpredictable Dianella but well do the Force men know how important it was.

‘‘That wasn’t our best,’’ skipper Jordan Rispin said.

‘‘We have been letting the opposition come to us and then we rebound.

That has been working but I would like to see us put more pressure on the opposition.

‘‘The pressure of our narrow lead has been eased a little.

‘‘Let’s hope tomorrow is the start of something special.’’

Adrift on the stats sheet Rockingham look easy prey but they have just halted a slide with a handy win over heavyweight Wanneroo City and in their own backyard they pose a threat.

However with the depth in the Force ranks Rockingham players could be spread thin because behind the potent strike force are a back four of Ryan Risdon and Jarred Mort and twin towers Oliver McGee and Rispin with one of the best goalkeepers in the competition behind them.

And add to that tough Englishman Ashley Young and Michael Merten and to coin a bridge phrase ‘‘there is a stopper in every suit’’.

Rockingham coach Steve Robinson was delighted with his team’s upset win.

‘‘All the boys worked hard yet also applied quality and composure to the style of play. It was enjoyable to see,’’ he said.