By Steve Gibson
CMI Busselton City Men’s Premier league team turned back the clock on Sunday when club stalwarts Martin Ryan and Shane Russell scored in their side’s 2-1 win over Hay Park. Ryan scored after 20 minutes when he fully capitalised on some defensive hesitancy. Hay Park then equalised from the penalty spot late in first spell before Russell showed considerable composure to grab the deciding goal after 55 minutes. Busselton basically won the game in the middle of the park through the ball winning capacity of defenders Toby Neill and Cam Goldsmith and the commitment of Jaxon Rynvis and Tom Jowett in midfield.
The Esplanade Hotel Men’s Reserves team were in contention for the first hour in their fixture against Hay Park. Trailing 1-0 at the break, the locals led by Hagen Castle and Harvey Anderson, were keen to grab an equaliser in the second half. To their credit Hay Park absorbed that initial pressure before notching four further goals before the final whistle. For City, George Davies worked hard throughout the match along with Phil Rogers and Toby Hunter.
Rocky Ridge Busselton City Ladies Premier side found life difficult in their 5-0 loss to league leaders Hay Park. After conceding a goal in the first minute Busselton regained their composure through some astute defending by Clare Marchand-Johns. However, Hay Park’s Hayley Castrilli then produced some impressive finishing in scoring a further three goals before half-time. The second half was a particularly even affair with some non-stop efforts from City’s Jess Sheridan and Banita Stewart.
The Ladies Reserves side were most unlucky to lose 3-2 in their fixture against Hay Park. After finding themselves a goal down in the first spell Busselton rallied with goals to Ash Charlton and Elisha Saltarini. Indeed, Busselton had seized the momentum with Liza Dawson and Jess Macrone controlling proceedings. However their opponents equalised in the second half and then grabbed the deciding goal moments before the full time whistle.