By Jonty Ralphsmith
A 42nd minute goal to Bunyip’s Daniel Biondo was enough to see the Strikers to victory over Pakenham in the local derby.
Each team were reduced to ten men within the first 20 minutes as three red cards were officially given: Daniel Vigilanti (Pakenham), Mark Comini (Bunyip) and Dean Schembri (Bunyip).
The clash always promises to be an entertaining spectacle with players from both sides knowing each other off-field and many having previously represented both clubs.
Pakenham coach Liam Rafferty was absent through Covid, but president Chris Gomez was in attendance and believed the game was relatively even.
“We didn’t play our brand of football – we let the event get too much of us,” Gomez said.
“We went down a level, rather than playing the football we know we’re good at.
“It didn’t look like a Pakenham team playing out there.
“Footballing-wise it was a fair contest. I don’t think any team outplayed the other team.”
Pakenham’s best scoring opportunity came via a well-taken free kick midway through the second half, but it was superbly stopped by the Strikers’ goalkeeper.
There was controversy late in the game, as Pakenham was given a penalty with several minutes remaining before stoppage time, but after some exchanges between the Bunyip players and the referee, full time was blown and Pakenham were denied the opportunity to equalise.
After three games, Bunyip now sits in fifth place (two wins and a loss), directly above Pakenham which have a win, draw and one loss in the 12-team competition.
