Tough Draw For Dunsborough

Thursday, 31 May 2007 01:53

The ambitions of the Dunsborough Towner’s Football Club to win the second division title in the South West Soccer Association competition will be severely tested in the opening rounds of the competition. They will face two of the power clubs in the South West in Bunbury and Busselton in the first two rounds in April.

There’s two ways you can look at the draw,” said Dunsborough coach Steve Palmer. “It’s good to meet these two clubs early on while everyone is coming to grips with the new season and get them out of the way or we find out quickly what we’ve got and make the necessary adjustments before the season really gets going,” said Palmer.

Initial training in the summer heat has produced a number of niggling injuries, some that could have long term implications.

Palmer himself, who is expected to play in the first team, has aggravated a calf injury that has left him hobbling.

The same applies to veteran Tony Plumb who collapsed at training last week when his calf muscle and achilles tendon gave way as he attempted to kick the ball. Plumb is considering playing in the second side that will compete in the fourth division, but his experience and strength probably will earn him selection in the first team during the season.

“We need people like Tony who can guide the younger players we expect to rely on this year,” said Palmer.

Apart from Bunbury and Busselton it is clear that there will be no easy games for Dunsborough this season. Included in the second division is Australind, Hay Park, Dynamos, Collie and Margaret River all with pedigrees far extensive than that of three-year old Dunsborough.

“This season will be a good indication of our standing in the South West competition,” said club president Tony Plumb. “We won the fourth division easily last year and we resisted the attempt by the South West Association to move us into the first division.

“Hopefully our expectations that the second division is where we should be will be borne out by the results we achieve”.

This Sunday the Dunsborough Towners will conduct a penalty shootout competition at the Bootleg Brewery starting at 2pm. Guest goalkeepers in former Australian international and current Socceroos goalkeepers coach Anthony Franken and past Glory goalkeeper Tommy Maras will arrive in Dunsborough as guests of the club demonstrate their skills against a number of South West hopefuls.