Story & pics by dogwhistle
The Byron Bay Rams consolidate their ‘top-of-the-table’ spot heading into the final rounds when they beat Goonellabah 2–0 last Friday.
With the Hornets desperate to secure a finals berth and the Services Club Rams with an eye on the Championship mug, both sides were determined to bring home the points.
The match began a little scrappy, with Byron pressing hard and Goonellabah reponding with equal ferocity. With striker Diego Vazquez unavailable, Lisandro Luaces and Yusmel Mustelier harried the Hornets’ flanks while the inexhaustible Jono Pierce ran amok up front.
Despite plenty of shots at the Goonelabah goal, the Rams managed to sky a few and have the rest scooped up by the Hornet’s very busy keeper.
As the first half progressed, the Byron boys settled into their quick and slick passing game, knocking the ball around and beginning to dominate.
In the final minute of the opening set, a short corner found Luaces unmarked 30 metres out. He snapped it cleanly to Jono Pierce in the box whose cheeky back heel left the Goonellabah keeper despondent in the dirt.
The second half mirrored the first, with both sides battling for the upper hand but the Rams looking stronger and more composed.
James Tomlinson once again marshalled his back line to repel all boarders and Ben Ahern and Rick Muir dominated the midfield. Luaces and Mustelier ramped up the pressure with frequent drives down the Hornets’ flanks while Jono Pierce relentlessly pressed the home team’s goal.
Four minutes before the final whistle, Lisandro Luaces broke through the line and blasted home the Rams’ second goal of the night.
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