Dunbar Sunk by Lokomotiv

Unanswered second half goals from Ben Fairfax and Dom Postiglione fired Lokomotiv Cove's AA6s to victory over Dunbar Robers in a tightly contested match at Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters Bay.

It was a victory built on a solid back line. Unchanged for the last three games, Gilbert-Davies and his back four have only conceded one goal in 270 minutes of football. The flat back four of Robertson, Donoghue, Lewis and Willing were at their best yesterday, dominating in the air against Dunbar's long ball tactics, while goalkeeper Steve Gilbert-Davies didn't have a save to make.

Dunbar did start the strongest, however. Lokomotiv seemed lethargic and uninterested as Dunbar controlled the ball, utilising the flat wing areas, and avoiding the cricket pitch in the middle. They could not create any clear chances, with all the goal action coming from Lokomotiv at the other end, as Matthew Quomi twice got a sight of goal before firing wide with both efforts.

The introduction of Jason Turner coincided with Lokomotiv's improvement, while good interplay between Quomi, Fairfax and Conan McGlone, pushed forward into a striker's role, opened up a chance for Matt Savona. His first touch brought him past his marker, but he couldn't get his shot on target.

Lokomotiv's slick passing game opened up another chance soon after. A great through ball by Quomi found the run of McGlone who outpaced the defence, but before he could shoot was shut down by the Dunbar goalkeeper.

Lokomotiv went close again, this time Fairfax volleyed wide after Brendan Slowey layed off a long throw.

Lokomotiv started the second half in determined mood, wary of being caught out at the start of the second half, as has happend a few times already this season. Indeed they created a fantastic chance to go ahead. Slowey's free kick found McGlone rising at the back post to knock down the ball to Fairfax waiting 5 yards out. With the goal at his mercy, Fairfax was left with his head in his hands as his volley rose over the bar.

There wasn't much time to rue that miss. Jason Arnold put in a crunching tackle at right-back and hit a wonderful pass in behind the defence. With Fairfax in the clear he just got to the ball before the goalkeeper, who managed to block the shot. The ball luckily bounced in the perfect spot for Fairfax to turn and fire the rebound into the unguarded goal.

Matthew Quomi was then brought off after suffering from an allergic reaction after swallowing a bee. He would eventually be persuaded to leave the match, and have to spend the night in hospital under observation.

With their captain out and protecting the most precious of leads, Lokomotiv continued their expansive passing game. Sam Cook doing well with Postiglione up front to create a couple of half chances.

Postiglione then made a great run down the left wing, making it to the goal line before being tackled and winning the corner. Johnny Plaza Vega whipped in a dangerous ball, and the goalkeeper and two defenders all missed the ball leaving Postiglione, the shortest player on the pitch, a simple headed finish for his third goal of the season.

With 10 minutes remaining Dunbar still hadn't had a shot on goal, a statistic that wouldn't change as Lokomotiv held firm at the back for record their fourth win from four away games, and saw them leap-frog Dunbar into fifth position on the ladder.

Squad: Gilbert-Davies; Robertson, Donoghue, Willing, Lewis; Savona, Slowey, Quomi, Arnold; Fairfax, McGlone. (Subs: Plaza Vega, Postiglione, Cook, Turner)