Greatest escape for Dolphins against Nerang

BROADBEACH United coach Lee Vernon admits the Dolphins were fortunate to escape with three points from Saturday’s battle with a Nerang side he believes can seriously challenge for a Premier League finals spot.

The third-placed Dolphins prevailed 2-1 at Glennon Park on the back of a Shaun Robinson double, but there were more than a few nervous moments en route to their fourth win of the season. “It was tough. It was always going to be a tough game to come and get three points,” Vernon said.

“They’re a good team, they got points off Surfers, they put three past the (Gold Coast) Knights so we were under no illusions it was going to be a tough game.

“It was just one of those games that could’ve gone either way. A couple of injuries meant we were scrambling for large periods of the game but we finished our chances.

“They cleared a couple off the line, we cleared a couple off the line. I don’t think you’ll see better last-stitch defending from both teams.

“I’m happy to get the three points and move on and I expect (Nerang) to get results all season long if they play like that.”

In Saturday’s other Round 5 fixtures, Matt Hilton continued his red-hot form with a hat-trick in Burleigh Heads’ 7-0 thumping of Murwillumbah at Jim Devine Field, while the Gold Coast Knights returned to winning ways with a 4-2 triumph away to Coomera.

Surfers Paradise Apollo climbed into the top four with a 1-0 win over Palm Beach on Friday night, while Mudgeeraba and Tweed United played out a 1-1 draw yesterday.