Three off as Arena beat Dallies

Spearwood Dalmatinac 0 Arena Joondalup United 2

A fixture error by Football West forced Arena Joondalup United to forfeit home advantage and instead make the long trek to Dalmatinac Park to take on Spearwood Dalmatinac in this crucial game with just two points separating the teams at the start of play.

The game started at a high tempo with several crunching tackles made as both teams fought to make an early strike. It was the “home” team Arena Joondalup who settled the quicker and began to play what has become in recent weeks their trademark quality football, however it was the away team Spearwood who had the first opportunity when an gilt edged chance was hit against the post when it seemed to all a goal was certain. 

Several yellow cards followed in the next few minutes as the official appeared to overreact too hard but fair challenges from both teams, finally the opening goal was scored on the half hour mark when a mazy dribble by Arena’s Ryan Green down the left was backed up by an even better cross to the far post which was met by the big unit Steve Trowbridge who showed great vision to head the ball back across goal to his strike partner Josh “Messi” Rolls who was left with a simple finish from close-range to open the scoring 1-0 much to the delight of the travelling faithful!

Arena Joondalup took control of proceedings and were unlucky not to go further ahead however the game appeared to take a twist when on 42 minutes following what appeared nothing more than handbags at six paces the Arena Joondalup United skipper Ian Bunton was shown a straight red by the over zealous referee.  The remaining minutes until the break passed without incident and the scoreline remained 1-0 to the home team.

Arena Joondalup United coach Nick Jennings re-organised his team at the break with the emphasis on defence and counter attacks at pace, this game plan was carried out to perfection and Spearwood had no idea how to break down the two banks of Arena Joondalup defenders. 

On the hour mark after dispelling another attack Josh Rolls chased and harried the Spearwood defence into an error and after being gifted the ball he clinically slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper to make the score 2-0 to the boys in blue.

A further four yellow cards followed in the next few minutes much to the amazement of both benches, this had the effect of unsettling the Arena team down to 10 men, and Spearwood should of scored on at least one occasion, they hit the crossbar and twice forwards unmarked inside the six yard box were thwarted by great saves from the Arena custodian Matt Williams. 

With 15 minutes to go this enthralling game seemed to take another twist when following a collision with a Spearwood forward Williams was knocked out and suffered an injury to his cheekbone which forced him from the field, with no substitute keeper amongst the subs it was Steve Trowbridge who donned the gloves and went between the posts.

Within minutes with the Spearwood forward going nowhere Trowbridge had a moment of madness and conceded a penalty kick by bringing him down, however what followed was a full length save diving to his left and then quickly to his feet to turn the follow up wide.  This completely took the wind out of Spearwood and ill discipline saw two of their players sent of within the next five minutes and it was Arena Joondalup who finished the game camped in the Spearwood half being unlucky not to add to the scoreline which finished at 2-0 to Arena Joondalup United a result which saw them leapfrog Dallies in the table.

Arena Coach Nick Jennings was delighted with his sides battling performance. “Fantastic effort by all the boys today, who showed great determination and character to get the result.  It was a strange game with hardly a bad tackle yet somehow three players were sent off and 7 or 8 received cautions, we kept our discipline and shape and carried on doing the simple things. In the end we fully deserved the 3 points it what was i would describe as a complete team performance,” Jennings said.

“Already we are looking forward to next weeks game away to Murdoch University, in what is another six pointer, with both clubs in the wrong half of the table.” he added.