Coast not panicking despite heavy loss

MARLIN Coast coach Mikhail Clement won’t be hitting the panic button any time soon despite the 2019 grand finalists being unable to score a goal in their opening game.

The Rangers were the only team held scoreless in round one of the men’s FNQ Premier League, as Innisfail United triumphed 3-0 at Pennell Field.

While the Cutters, powered by Ricky Tuigaloa, Eamon Ross and Harrison Corica, banged home three goals — one of which featured an outstanding individual effort that left the Rangers defence in tatters — Clement said luck was against the young and energetic Marlin Coast outfit.

“We had a few chances, hit the post, and that could’ve made things different (if they went in),” Clement said.

“One of their guys beat six of our players for a goal, that wasn’t too good for us.

“But I’m not too worried. “We’ve got a new team, a very young team, and they don’t have the same experience playing in the Premier League. We’ve got a lot of youth players who are stepping up, and they’re seeing what the difference is between the standard of competitions.”

Marlin Coast will travel to White Rock to face Leichhardt this week, and the Lions proved they would be a team to fear in Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate at Stratford.

Clement said his troops would put the disappointing first-round result behind them as they sought to break their duck — and hopefully bag all the points from their first road trip of the 14-round season.

“We played Leichhardt in a friendly a few weeks ago and I don’t think they’re as physical as Innisfail was,” Clement said.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries as well. We move on (from the loss), learn from our mistakes and try to improve.”

Innisfail will host Mareeba United, also on Saturday night, as they look to maintain their place atop the FNQ Premier League table.

Defending treble winners Edge Hill United will travel to Edmonton on Sunday afternoon to face Southside Comets, who drew 2-2 with Mareeba last week.