Chun stunner lifts White Eagles to Glory
A world class strike from Bonnyrigg’s Bo Hyun Chun sealed a 2-1 win over Manly United FC on Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park.
The home side, who were playing their first competitive game of 2014 after their tussle with Marconi was washed out last weekend, were quicker out of the blocks and created the first chance of the contest.
One time White Eagles striker Chris Payne almost capitalised on a shaky pass to keeper Matthew Nash after 3’ minutes, but the experienced gloveman reacted well to clear the danger.
2’ minutes later Bonnyrigg marksman Robbie Younis almost opened the scoring.
Reacting first to a flick on from Nikola Zonjic, he slid in at the far post, missing the ball by a matter of inches.
On 14’ minutes Younis was guilty of missing an ever better chance.
An inch perfect ball from the right saw the striker unmarked and only with Dylan Mitchell to beat, but the usually clinical front man ballooned his header over the crossbar.
Moments later Younis fed Jordan Crighton down the left flank, and after the youngster composed himself, he hit an effort across Mitchell but wide of the target.
It proved to be crucial, with Manly taking the lead on 17’ minutes.
Slick interplay from Brendan Cholakian and Scott Balderson teed up Payne, who laced a powerful effort home.
On 32’ minutes it was that man Younis once again in the spotlight.
He cleverly spun past his marker and pulled the trigger, only to see a timely block from the retreating Josh Lawson.
Leading into oranges, Bonnyrigg began to shoot from distance, highlighting their desperation against Craig Midgley’s organised squad.
Balderson went close to doubling United’s lead following a peach of a first time ball via Josh Ward, but found Nash impossible to pass.
White Eagles utility Jordan Crighton should have equalised on 53’ minutes, but shot wide of the mark after Mitchell made himself an imposing figure between the sticks.
It looked like it wasn’t going to be the away side’s day when Younis was again denied, this time by Roberto Speranza on 62’ minutes.
Brian Brown’s men were finally rewarded for their graft after 70’ minutes.
Alex Canak reacted well to some sloppy play at the back and side footed past Mitchell with ease to level proceedings.
4’ minutes later Chun won the game with a wonder goal.
Looking up from 25 yards, he unleashed a rocket in the top right corner to hand the Eagles the upper ascendency.
Manly tried in vain to snatch an equaliser, but in the end failed to trouble Nash.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles assistant coach Cliff Pointer said patience was key.
“We started off OK, but then Manly got into the game and created a few chances,’’ he said.
“In saying that we missed a few ourselves in the first half.
“I stressed to the boys not to panic, and to their credit, they all kept cool heads.
“It was some strike from Ken (Chun) to win it, we all know what he is capable of.”
Midgley lamented what could have been outside the sheds at fulltime.
“I thought we deserved our lead, but we didn’t go on with things,’’ he said.
“They scored a bomb to win it, but the equaliser was very sloppy from our side.
“Overall I saw plenty of positives, and we can now work on a few things this Wednesday (night) in the catch up game against Marconi.”
Match Stats
Manly United FC 1 (Chris Payne 17’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Alex Canak 70’, Ken Chun 75’)
Sunday 23rd March, 2014
Cromer Park
Manly United: 1.Dylan Mitchell, 7.Scott Balderson, 10.Brendan Cholakian, 4.Graeme Forbes, 8.Danny Grant, 5.Josh Lawson, 9.Chris Payne, 16.Jed Prater, (14.Damir Prodanovic 81’) 19.Daniel Saric, (13.Masakatsu Tanaka 81’) 11.Roberto Speranza, 6.Josh Ward (17.Nathan Sim 61’)
Substitutes not used: 20.Tonu Liiband, 12.Dom Ferguson
Yellow cards: Payne 13’, Grant 56’
Red cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Matthew Nash, 8.Alex Canak, 21.Bo Hyun Chun, 14.Jordan Crighton (34.Dillon Vorster 67’) 7.Tynan Diaz, 12.Dylan Fox, 2.Alex Mansueto, 5.Chris Tadrosse, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 9.Robbie Younis, 6.Nikola Zonjic
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Younis 89’
Red cards: Nil
Player ratings:
3 – Matthew Nash (BWE)
2 – Scott Balderson (MU)
1 – Ken Chun (BWE)
