IN FULL FLIGHT: Stand-in captain Tim Davidson was one of Waratahs’ best. Photo: JUDE KEOGH.0520tahs1
THEY’RE unbeaten to start the 2012 Western Premier League first grade season, but in an ominous warning for the rest of the competition, Orange Waratahs coach Pat Allen says his side can only get better.
Through five competition rounds, general byes, competition byes and a limited pre-season, Waratahs have managed to string together two wins, two draws and points from the bye to sit in second spot behind premiers Dubbo FC.
On Sunday Waratahs met the two-time defending champions at Waratahs Sportsground, recording a 1-all draw.
It was far from pretty, but it was enough to prove Waratahs and the Bulls will face-off come the business end of the season yet again.
“We played pretty well in patches,” Allen said.
“It’s going to be that sort of a season. It’s been stop-starty and probably hurt us more than any other side.
“We can only improve.”
Waratahs had all of the early running and made the most of it, going 1-0 up early thanks to a successful Scott Brakenridge strike.
But the tide soon turned and Dubbo hit back, albeit in controversial circumstances.
The Bulls scored in a goal mouth scrap, with Waratahs keeper Adam Brakenridge ending up inside the net along with the ball.
It remained 1-all at half time.
Both sides had their chances to break the deadlock in the second half but failed to capitalise, with Adam Brakenridge pulling off a couple of important saves for the home side and Waratahs hitting the post twice down the other end of the field.
Allen said his side went into its shell after scoring.
“We’ve got a few bad habits. We seem to forget about our game when we’re in front,” he said.
“Adam Brakenridge pulled off a few good saves but they put him in the back of the net as well as the ball at one stage. The referees obviously had different opinions to us.
“It was pretty even though. Both sides had their chances and a 1-all result was probably fair.”
Stand-in Waratahs skipper Tim Davidson was the standout performer for the home side.
“He was very, very busy. Adam Kelly had another strong game, he is having a good season and Adam in goals pulled off some important saves in the first half,” Allen said.
Waratahs travel to Lithgow next Sunday.
Allen said it was a danger game for his side.
“Very much so. They’re our bogey side so we’ll have to be keyed up for that one,” he said.
n ORANGE WARATAHS 1 (Scott Brakenridge) drew with DUBBO FC 1
