Finals bid has all but ended
FNQ Heat’s finals bid has all but ended in laughable circumstances against the same team who destroyed their grand final dreams last season. Redlands United came from behind to record a 2-1 win with a stoppage time goal but the home team was so ashamed at the officiating they felt the need to apologise to Heat players. Such was the assistance of the referees, the crowd at Cleveland Showground even cheered them off the ground for calls that still have the visitors scratching their heads.
FNQ Heat’s finals bid has all but ended in laughable circumstances against the same team who destroyed their grand final dreams last season.
Redlands United came from behind to record a 2-1 win with a stoppage time goal but the home team was so ashamed at the officiating they felt the need to apologise to Heat players.
Such was the assistance of the referees, the crowd at Cleveland Showground even cheered them off the ground for calls that still have the visitors scratching their heads.
While there was no excuse for failing to stop Ryan Michael’s winning header, the Heat were forced to defend the free kick, which was baffling in itself, with 10 men.
Key defender Josh Jennison, who conceded the free kick despite coming off second best, was asked to leave the field for a supposed illegal covering on his ear, which he had been wearing for the entire game.
Ten minutes earlier the Heat looked to have scored what could have been the winner through MJ Nkiwane, but the flag went up and the goal was disallowed.
FNQ Heat coach Tim Campbell said it might sound like “sour grapes” but it was the story of their season. The mystery disallowed goal was the third such occasion this season, but the coach said there was no point following it up.
“The opportunity to ask for an explanation isn’t available to us like it seems to be for every other team. We don’t get a chance to find out,” Campbell said.
He said despite the confusion, the Heat had enough chances to leave with the three points they needed.
“It’s our own fault. We gave Jamie Carroll two good oneon-ones. Last year they were chances he would have been taking but this year he’s just not doing it,” he said.
“Kasper hit the post, Jamie hit the bar. They just weren’t going in. We just have nothing of the confidence we had in comparison to last season.”
Carroll though did score midway through the first half, although Campbell said he deserved much better than the farce that unfolded afterwards in his milestone game.
“He managed to do it in his 100th game and we took some joy in that,” he said.
“It’s a great honour for us to be involved in something like that but it’s just a shame we get that kind of result.”
The Heat now effectively need Brisbane City, Moreton Bay and Western Pride to disintegrate to be any chance of making the top four.
While there is an NPL game in Innisfail against Brisbane City to concern themselves with, the Heat will now throw everything into their upcoming FFA Cup clash against Sydney United 58 on August 9.
“It’s our last hurrah,” Campbell said. “The boys know the season is over in the league, the total focus is now on Sydney and what a challenge that will be for us.”