Even a bad day’s still good for star Ranger
THE worst game of the season from a man rated as the best Premier Men’s player in Cairns has proven too good for Mareeba, with Marlin Coast threatening a Manchester City-like run in the Far North.
A Kyle Nichol double in 17 minutes book-ended the Bulls’ only goal in a 2-1 win for the visitors, who maintained their ladder lead on Sunday.
Rangers coach James Tweed said it was astounding someone of Nichol’s calibre wasn’t a first choice player for Cairns FC when he started the season at the NPL club, but was happy his skills were being put to good use for his side.
“I’m quite shocked they never gave him game time when he was there. To me it’s a crime,” he said.
“The guy played three games and they dropped him and all the boy wants to do is play football. He’s passionate, he’s studying to be an engineer and he knows he’s not going to be a professional football player but he just wants game time.
“After watching that Southside game (v Cairns FC), Kyle would fit in easy.
“But football’s all opinions. One coach thinks completely different to another.”
Tweed said there was no better player with such technical ability and game awareness on his day, and even an off day.
“He’s got seven goals in four games and he was terrible against Mareeba and he still got two,” he said.
Marlin Coast may be unbeaten but have yet to face their biggest challengers to the title in Edge Hill and Southside, who Tweed is eyeing off in the next two rounds.
But if those two go their way and still with much talked about recruit Jamal Williamson to finally join the fray, he said the sky was the limit.
“If we can get six wins out of six then I think we’re on a good level. We’re strong in all departments, we’ve got a strong squad, everyone’s training week-in week-out and we’ve got a good atmosphere in the club.
“Hopefully I can do a Man City and go unbeaten all season.”
The only sticking point could be if his players were approached for Cairns FC places, which he would be open to if his players wanted to step up.
Southside Comets beat Stratford 3-1 on Saturday night while the match between Innisfail United and Edge Hill was postponed due to floodlight issues at Castor Park.
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