Bunbury Dynamos thrash Football Margaret River 7-2 in chaotic game to remain unbeaten at the top of the ladder

Bunbury Dynamos have thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the South West soccer league, thrashing the reigning champions Football Margaret River 7-2 to remain unbeaten at the top of the ladder. After nine goals, seven yellow cards, a red card and an own goal, it was the home side which prevailed in the heated, chaotic contest between two of the division’s best sides. The match — which was depicted by notable momentum shifts both ways — was very much in the balance for the majority of the game, before Dynamos romped home with four goals in the last 10 minutes to put an exclamation mark on an emphatic victory. Bunbury were fast out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute after a goalkeeping error from FMR’s Adrien Bouchet, who parried a free kick straight into the path of Blake Smaniotto, who tapped in from close range. But FMR quickly responded through Agustin Brena, who latched onto a cross from the Angus Somerset and powered in a header to level up the tie. Margaret River appeared more composed on the ball and dominated possession for much of the game, but lacked a cutting edge in the forward line. On the other hand, Dynamos were happy to soak up pressure, but were incredibly efficient on the counterattack. Target man Jeremy Stevens provided an outlet from long balls and was a constant goalscoring threat. Two goals on the stroke of half-time from Stevens and Jakub Vychytil put a spring in Dynamos’ step going into the break. After the restart, Bunbury appeared to be cruising, but another goalkeeping error let FMR back into the game, as Harry Browne scored direct from a low free kick. Buoyed by the goal, FMR looked dangerous and were pushing for an equaliser, but a chaotic final 10 minutes crushed any hope of a positive result for the away side. In the 80th minute, FMR scored an own goal and one minute later, goalkeeper Bouchet was dismissed for preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity in the box. Dynamos’ Corey Barclay stepped up to the spot and coolly rolled it home to make it 5-2. Two minutes later, FMR conceded another penalty which was dispatched by Stevens, before Kye Templar rounded out the win for Bunbury with a seventh goal in the 90th minute. The victory leaves Bunbury Dynamos at the top of the ladder with three wins from three, while FMR drop to 5th, but have a game in hand.