THE team gathered at 8.30am for our early kick-off at the soccer drome in Bunbury last Sunday.

It was established that we were a couple of players down in the squad, but the biggest problem we had was a mysterious shoulder injury to Matthieu Allard which he received overnight.

Dalyellup started the more positive team and had the majority of possession in the opening 25 minutes and with a stiff breeze behind them, they looked the most likely to score on several occasions.

Goal keeper (Geezer) Mike Hibbered made an amazing save, pushing a close range effort around the post from a Dalyellup forward to keep them goalless.

The large and vocal support for the local team was gathering volume until a brief shower sent them running for cover and there was a noticeable change in temperature which seemed to lift the River.

My directions from the touch line were that we didn’t get a goal down before we started playing, which we have been guilty of on several occasions this season.

Balls from both Andy Leharn and Simon Corke picked out Stuart McKay but on both occasions was unable to finish.

The tide was turning with the River gaining more and more possession and once again we should have scored when our French centre back Matthieu Allard broke though the Dalyellup defence but he also was unable to get any great purchase on his shot.

The first half ended goalless,

I requested that our players not commit too early in the tackle but rather wait for their opponent to make a mistake.

I also requested that there shall be no negative comments between our team, only encouragement.

We started this half more positively, with Adrian Nathanielz brought on as right back and Sam Parrott moved to right half position.

That young man Sam was so unlucky to see his header rebound off the Dalyellup upright and to safety for them.

Geezer had to make another couple of saves, both times off their man mountain centre forward Henry to keep us in the game.