MR United 4 drew Nannup 4

ON the back of two wins, the United lads were expecting an easy victory over the bottom-ranked Nannup, but instead, they faced a determined team with only one sub who were jubilant to walk away with a 4-all draw.

Though it was a glorious sunny day, a ferocious wind across the beach-front ground had the spectators huddling into their jackets, and the ball swinging in lovely wide arcs away from the intended recipient.

Nannup came out fighting, scoring a goal within the first 30 seconds of play which took everybody, not least the Nannup parents, by surprise.

A second attempt within moments showed our lads the game was not to be a cake-walk after all.

Both Jawed Sadiqi and Victor Cunningham made impressive but unsuccessful retaliatory attempts on goal before Nic Versteegen slotted through a great pass that Jawed hammered into the corner of the net for 1-1.

At this point, the game was anyone’s and the ball was everywhere.

Mat Kevill was working hard in defence but Nannup nevertheless got through and put away their second goal. This was equalised shortly afterwards when Trevor Armener lobbed a great ball into the box from a free kick, which Sam Connell headed into the net for 2-2.

Nannup threw everything they had at the contest, working goalie Declan Brennan much harder than he had anticipated.

With the ball often blowing out of bounds, Tom Wood was called on for his trade-mark long throw-ins.

United had some impressive forays forward generated by Dylan Johnson and Liam Keys, with Glen Giles and Dan Raymond looking dangerous up front.

A great one two between Gilesy and Victor culminated in a textbook goal by Victor, demonstrating the value of taking time and thinking about what you’re doing.

Inspired, the United boys hammered the goals, with Jawed, Nic and Victor all looking like a sure thing at various times.