By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham celebrated its second win of the season in a grudge match against local rivals Bunyip, prevailing 3-0.
The hosts’ executed well and showed profound maturity to maintain their intensity throughout a clash which always ebbs and flows with emotion.
“We try to treat it like another game and worry about getting the points but it always feels a bit different on the day because you always want to win the derby,” coach Dean Alburey said.
To heighten the energy pre-game, the coaching staff allowed the seniors to celebrate with the reserves, who were triumphant in their match, and it led to a fast start for Pakenham, which scored an early goal.
That set the tone for the match, with Pakenham playing with confidence.
Bunyip got an opening when the hosts were reduced to 10 men at IYU Recreation Reserve, but within five minutes of the red card, Pakenham went up the other end to score, effectively sealing the result.
“Our decision-making in crucial moments and impatience had been letting us down so we worked on that at training,” Alburey said.
“Coming out of training, I had a good feeling everything would click and they put it our on the pitch and were smart for the most part.
“It was a big improvement on last week as we took a much more balanced approach into the game.
“When we were losing the ball, we were winning it back quickly and in good areas which caused problems.
“We were careful about choosing our moments, waiting for the space to open up and capitalising at halftime.”
Pakenham now sits fifth on the table, nine points behind top-placed Fortuna and this Saturday at 3pm has a road trip to Mount Martha, currently seventh.
