TIGERS MARCH IN TO FIRST
IT was billed as a battle between two sides destined for the FNQ Premier League finals but it wound up another dominant and decisive victory for the defending champion Edge Hill United.
Innisfail United had shown some impressive form in the opening weeks of the delayed 2020 campaign, winning their first two games thanks to the exciting attacking trio of Ricky Tuigaloa, Eamonn Ross and Harrison Corica.
But the Cutters couldn’t match the experienced Tigers on their home turf, as Edge Hill United ran rampant to move into top spot after just two games.
Crios O’Hare scored a hattrick — his third could be recorded as an own goal but the player-coach claimed it — while Joshua Taylor found the back of the net and Jesse Casson nabbed one of his own to complete the rout.
O’Hare said it was just another solid all-round performance from his side, as they march towards the goal of defending all three of their crowns — the championship, premiership, and Crad Evans Shield.
“They looked dangerous coming forward, but it was just a complete performance from us,” O’Hare said.
Casson proved last year’s outstanding Premier League campaign wasn’t a fluke as he again showed why he was considered arguably the most consistent performer last season.
The 2019 grand final MVP has picked up where he left off, starting in the centre midfield and steering the black and yellows around the paddock.
He’s been such an integral part of Edge Hill United’s success so far this year it may leave O’Hare nursing the biggest selection headache of the Premier League.
“He started centre-mid for us with Josh De Nittis out of action, he prefers it there and he’s been really good for us,” O’Hare said. “Josh is coming back (he came off the bench on Saturday) so we’re going to have to decide what to do there.”
Kev Ward made several good saves to keep his first clean sheet of the 2020 season.
Innisfail United captain Yoel Jogiono endured a tough night at the office, the goalkeeper saying he and his teammates simply didn’t show up for the contest.
“It was quick, it was played at a fast pace, but they played to their strengths — the set pieces, long balls, and a very direct way of playing,” he said.
“We missed a few players but that’s no excuse. They applied the pressure straight away and were too good.”