The wait is almost over for Busselton City FC. After a pre-season three months longer than usual as the Covid-19 pandemic shut down sport around the world, the club’s five senior teams will find out this Sundaywhether their preparation has been good enough.
CMI Busselton City men’s Premier and Reserve leagues sides will take on traditional rivals Bunbury United at Churchill Park. The Premier League side showed encouraging form before the break when they defeated South West Soccer Association champions, Dynamos, in a FFA Cup encounter. Much interest will focus on key midfielder Craig Barker who originally hails from England but has spent the past few seasons playing in the USA University competition. Other newcomers include winger David McGuiness (Parkhead, Glasgow) and Mat Evans (Dalyellup) along with the capable John Nguyen and Joel Anderson.
Gary Norden’s Reserves side will be a combination ofsome experienced players along with Youth League players Josh Snow and Lockie Nutarelli-Hall who are making the transition into the senior ranks. The Woody Nook Division Two side will meet cross town rivals Geographe first up in an away fixture. With stalwarts Dave Wright, Anthony Mills and Romain Trouve leading the way, the team performed admirably last Sunday in their narrow loss to a strong Manjimup Rovers outfit.
Sportspower Busselton City ladies sides will be full of confidence after recording wins over Dunsborough and Blackwood United last Sunday. The Premier league side were most impressive in the way that they kept the ball moving which really stretched the Dunsborough side at times. The locals will start favourite in their encounter with Dynamos and have strengthened their ranks with the influential Siobhan Longmore linking up with sister Ariana along with consistent defender Madee Rice. Busselton City will field a ladies Reserve team for the first time in 5 years and will open their season with a clash against Bunbury United. The club has been able to acquire a number of very promising players for the season including Claudia Duane, Kara Haynes, Jess Gordon and Finlay Godden.