Defence exposed as visitors take points
ANOTHER long week awaits Cairns FC after succumbing to back-to-back losses at Barlow Park to start the 2018 NPL season.
The home side “gifted” Sunshine Coast their first win since 2016 according to Cairns FC coach Danny Graystone, who lamented more “silly defensive errors”.
The first came in the 18th minute when the Fire converted a corner for the opening goal — to wily ex-FNQ Heat player Alex Smith, who won a goalmouth scramble.
It was well deserved for the visitors, who burst out of the gates while Cairns laboured their way into the game.
Graystone said the slow start was a worrying trend extending back to the preseason.
“We warmed up extremely well but it sometimes happens in football,” he said.
“I said to the boys, ‘don’t give away your first two, three, four passes, because it sets the momentum for the opposition’ and we did that again.”
A long ball exposed the Cairns defence for the second Sunshine Coast goal, also to Smith, in the 56th minute.
The goals bookended some fabulous attacking play from the hosts, including a goal in the 26th minute seemingly out of nothing.
The lead-up play erupted from the feet of Crios O’Hare in Cairns’ own half, who pulled off a remarkable one-two series of passes with MJ Nkiwane, then threaded it through the Fire defence for Josh Taylor to tap in past the advancing goalkeeper.
Graystone said it showed glimpses of their potential, although he expected it could take another month to do it consistently.
“I think everyone can see it is there. It will come, in a little bit of time it will come, I think we just need to strengthen a couple of areas, particularly defending set plays,” he said.
A lack of composure again thwarted several efforts of a Cairns comeback and Graystone hoped an away trip could prove a silver bullet.
“It’s really difficult to create a training environment where you can create composure. It often comes with experience and confidence in your own ability,” he said.
“Perhaps a trip away from here will actually do us a bit of good.”
It is hoped Canadian import Joe Zupo, who did not receive an international transfer clearance in time to play on Saturday, will tighten the leaky defence.
I SAID TO THE BOYS, DON’T GIVE AWAY YOUR FIRST TWO, THREE, FOUR PASSES, BECAUSE IT SETS THE MOMENTUM FOR THE OPPOSITION, AND WE DID THAT AGAIN DANNY GRAYSTONE