SWSA 2023: Football Margaret River breaks Dalyellup’s undefeated streak, winning 4-1 in thrilling contest

Football Margaret River have cemented themselves as a team to beat after handing the Dalyellup Park Rangers their first loss of the season in a thrilling 4-1 contest. It was all on the line at the Dalyellup Park Rangers’ pitch on Sunday as the South West Soccer Association’s top men’s premier league teams went head-to-head on Sunday in round 10. While Football Margaret River looked to make an early charge towards goal, Dalyellup were quick to mount the defensive pressure and force the ball out of bounds. With both sides mounting the pressure on one another, it did not take long for them to be plagued by fouls. After Kosta Stavrou just missed a penalty shot for Dalyellup, Football Margaret River capitalised with Matias Ibanez scoring a goal in the eighth minute to hand the visiting side the lead. Dalyellup were now desperate to find a way to respond and Football Margaret River promptly adapted in a bid to stifle their attack. In the midst of plenty of back and forth, along with fouls forcing turnovers, Dalyellup’s Ben Kirk brought the scores level with a goal of his own in the 39th minute. Another attempt at goal for Dalyellup was blocked at the last moment by Football Margaret River skipper Samuel Leigh before the half-time whistle was blown. As dark clouds loomed over the pitch, Dalyellup looked to make a fast start to the second half but a shot by Stavrou to get Dalyellup the lead left him and his teammates heartbroken as the ball hit the post. Football Margaret River took charge to try take the lead but found themselves at the mercy of near-misses themselves. A flurry of goal attempts by Football Margaret River saw Dalyellup fall foul once again, forcing a penalty shootout for Ibanez which resulted in a successful shot on goal. As Dalyellup looked to find a way to respond once again, rain began to set in. Both sides fought hard in the wet but Football Margaret River began to put their foot down, with goals by Ibanez and Connor Thurston within four minutes of each other, sealing the 4-1 win. Elsewhere, Dynamos and Bunbury United drew level at 1-1, Hay Park United defeated Harvey Hawks 4-1 and Busselton City and Dunsborough managed a 0-0 draw. In the women’s premier league competition, Bunbury United defeated Dynamos 4-0, Dunsborough held off Busselton City 1-0, and Football Margaret River defeated Dalyellup 3-1.