Soccer: Force fortunes flounder

It was anything but Happy Easter for the Bunbury Forum Force who crashed to their biggest defeat on record at the weekend.

And the club to inflict the triple defeat on Bunbury’s soccer pride was All Flags Division One rookies Shamrock Rovers.

Hoping to continue their magnificent start to the league competition the week before when walloping Fremantle Spirit 7-0 in a winning trifecta, the Force were well held by a fired-up Rovers determined to make their mark in the State league competition.

Promoted from the Amateurs Premier Division at the end of last season, the Rovers started the day with a massive 10-4 massacre of Bunbury in the Under 18s and followed that with a 4-1 Reserves win before running out a comprehensive 3-0 thumping of the League team.

The green clad Shamrock Rovers fielded a big, strong experiencedside which proved more than a match for the Force.

It was a disappointing result, said coach Nigel Wilcox who coached the Youth to runner-up success last season.

‘‘Certainly I can’t recall a loss like that (5-17) in my time with the club,’’ he said.

‘‘Mymen were a little flat but the Shamrock defence was solid and after a rather lucky long range first half goal they lifted and defended in depth.

‘‘We had our chances but were foiled by their commitment at the back plus a good game from their goalkeeper.’’

Wilcox echoed the many in State football circles who have predicted Shamrock Rovers for a top four spot, saying the team that held Wanneroo to a scoreless draw in the opening week of competition would be a challenger this season.

‘‘They play tough, direct football and I reckon they will be a challenger this season,’’ he said.

After an even first 40 minutes a long range shot deflected off a defender and bounced over goalie Ryan Montgomery.

Shamrock Rovers went two-up midway through the second half and in their desperation to pull back with their front line Force conceded the third goal to a committed a counter attack.

Star American signing Michael Martin again shone for the Force after impressing in his debut the previous week, while Neil Chappell, an English player who also represented the club in 2010 made some good runs.

The Force will this Saturday attempt to steady their season against Ashfield SC at Hay Park in round three of Division One competition.