Unlikely United topples Cairns
Former hometown striker stars for visitors in season-saving victory
CAIRNS-RAISED striker Nick Panetta has proved the difference for Gold Coast United, leading his side to victory over his hometown club at the weekend.
United are refusing to give up on a miracle NPL finals berth after securing a seasonsaving 3-1 victory over Cairns.
Treating every game as must-win as they fight to reel in an 11-point gap to the top four, United overcame the 20th-minute dismissal of goalkeeper Luka Zoric to run over the top of the visitors in Saturday night’s Round 14 encounter at Robina.
Panetta was in sizzling form against Cairns FC, scoring twice in four minutes early in the second half to turn a 1-0 halftime deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Brandon Reeves then put the result beyond doubt with a third goal in stoppage time, sealing a third-straight win for the hosts.
Their night had begun in horror fashion, with Cairns opening the scoring through Joshua Taylor in the 16th minute before Zoric was sent off for bringing down Taylor in the box.
With teenage shotstopper Eligh Williams brought on at the expense of attacker Rees Duncan, he wasted no time making his mark with a penalty save from Cairns’ Jamie Carroll.
While those in the United camp are under no illusions about the monumental challenge of running down the competition’s top four, coach Sean Lane believes the signs are positive.
“That’s the measure of a proper team when you’re a goal behind, you lose a man and still have the internal fortitude to turn around, continue playing and come away with the three points,” Lane said.
“To be fair (to Cairns) they’d had a big week – they’d been to south west Queensland … to Townsville midweek for the FFA Cup, so I knew they were going to tire.
“I told the lads (at halftime) that it was there for the taking. We went for it. I knew that if we got one we’d get a few.
“Every single one (of our boys) was absolutely superb.”
Cairns FC are away again next Saturday, this time taking on Sunshine Coast FC at Kawana Sports Precinct.