Cairns dominates United Visitors quash mini comeback
CAIRNS FC have saved their best for their nearest rivals, putting in an “excellent” performance for a 4-2 win at a wet Brolga Park on Saturday night.
The home side threatened early with a shot off the bar but Cairns rallied after a slow start to have two goals disallowed before Joshua Taylor returned to the scoresheet with the opener in the 23rd minute.
Crios O’Hare put away a penalty in the 29th minute to give his side a 2-0 halftime lead, but it was a position they took a little too comfortably.
NQ United had a sniff of a comeback when Stephen Blackburn scored in the 56th minute, but Cairns restored their dominance within seven minutes through a Tom Murphy header.
Skipper Jamie Carroll, again dynamic as a winger, used the woodwork to seal the three points by the 79th minute.
Masimango Benjamin scored a consolation goal for NQ United in the dying minutes to make the result closer than it appeared, according to Cairns FC coach Danny Graystone.
“We had two goals disallowed in the first half and to be quite honest with you, the game could have been over at halftime. We completely dominated it,” he said.
“It was only the second half for about 10 or 15 minutes they came back in. We let them back in the game, which was a bit disappointing, but take nothing away from the boys, we were excellent.
“I think the work we’ve been doing defensively and structurally is starting to come together.
“I think we’ve got the system right and it’s starting to pay dividends for us.”
Graystone said the brief second-half lapse was concerning, showing him there was still some room for improvement going into their next match against MackayWhitsunday Magpies-Crusaders in April.
It won’t stop Cairns FC players getting out on the pitch this week, with making the most out of attacking opportunities firmly on the menu.
“There’s still a lot of stuff we’ve got to keep working on and pushing with,” Graystone said.
“We’ve got to work hard this week and I’ll give the boys the weekend off, then start the preparation for Mackay.”