Matt attack key in Bulldogs’ charge

BURLEIGH Heads coach Colin Phelan has hailed the influence of veterans Matt Hilton and Matt Noble as the Bulldogs extend an unbeaten Gold Coast Premier League run.

Preliminary finalists last season, Burleigh made it four from four on Friday night with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Palm Beach at Pizzey Park.

The league leaders were forced to fight back from a goal down after an early Josh Squires strike, before prevailing on the back of goals from Beckham Casey, Kazuma Kobayashi and Noble. Phelan said the off-season arrival of midfielder Noble (Tweed United) and veteran striker Hilton (Palm Beach), who has five goals in four games, had been vital to their red-hot start to 2018.

“A lot of sides double up on Matty (Hilton), his goal scoring record is obviously second to none. He’s looking after himself this year, he’s in good shape (and) he’s defending from the front,” Phelan said.

“Also then we’ve got Matty Noble who’s got a bit of experithe

ence, he’s been around and played at a really good level in England. He tries to manage game for us and he’s got great feet. He was exceptional (against Palm Beach).”

On Saturday, a Ben Waldon hat-trick steered Murwillumbah to their first win with a 3-0 triumph at home to Mudgeeraba, while Surfers Paradise Apollo and Nerang played out a 1-1 draw at Lex Bell Oval.

Broadbeach United beat Coomera 3-0 courtesy of a Sean Robinson double.

In yesterday only fixture, Tweed United picked up a surprise 2-2 draw against Gold Coast Knights at Carrara.