STARS ALIGN TO SHOOT APOLLO BACK INTO TOP SPOT
THE return of three key players proved the difference for Surfers Paradise who have regained top spot on the Gold Coast Premier League ladder.
The Apollo downed Magic United 5-1 at Lex Bell Field on Saturday and the presence of centre-field playmaker Acim Tomic was vital in the win.
Tomic, captain Bruno Rodriguez and Tolga Yorulmaz were all back for the Apollo and it was Tomic who took the man-of-thematch honours.
“Acim was great for us in a game that was reasonably entertaining after we led 2-1 at halftime,” Surfers coach David Benigno said.
Mikiya Yamada, Zack Kallinikos, Simone Mangiante, Tomic and Brandon Gomez all scored for Apollo who now sit alone on top after co-leaders Gold Coast Knights had their match against Burleigh Heads postponed.
Evergreen striker Matt Hilton has again proved the advantage of having
experience up front with another hat-trick in the Gold Coast Premier League.
Well versed in the art of finding the net, Hilton’s three goals proved telling for Palm Beach when they beat Coomera 5-2 at Duncan McKenna Field on Saturday.
Hilton’s strikes came either side of halftime to break the backs of the Colts, who twice led the game.
Coomera scored first, it was 1-1 at halftime and the Colts led again 2-1 soon after the break.
Away from Hilton’s goals the main talking point was when Coomera coach John Duthie was banished from the bench after a verbal exchange with the referee.
Over the border at Jim Devine Field Broadbeach United edged out home side Murwillumbah in a tight battle.
The Warning threatened an upset when Iago Duarte gave them a 1-0 lead at halftime before the Dolphins fought back and finished on top after goals from Connor Simpson and Jordi Balo.
“It took us a while to settle down but after we scored the equaliser early in the second half, then again shortly after that, we got on top,” Broadbeach coach Lee Vernon said.