Coast’s road ahead looking positive
THE emergence of Gold Coast United’s young brigade has instilled coach Michael Cook with the belief his side’s best is yet to come in their push for an NPL Women’s finals berth.
Cook was full of praise for a number of rising stars following Saturday night’s 3-3 draw with Easts, despite his disappointment at letting all three points slip away.
“Kijana Walker played her first full game of the season, had a strong performance and will grow a lot from the experience. Georgia Elliston gets through an extraordinary amount of work every time she plays and was again huge for us,” Cook said.
“Special mention for (new signing) Jayde Lowe, who on debut showed she’s a valuable addition to the squad. Lara Byfield also made a difference when she came on for us, giving us great energy and forcing our opponents back with her pace.
“Overall we will accept the valuable away point, even if we feel we shaded the game a little.”
Easts opened the scoring at Heath Park in the 10th minute through Georgina Amos but United responded
15 minutes later when Mackenzie Akins headed home a Meg McElligott corner.
Shortly afterwards, Akins then turned provider for McElligott, who notched her 28th goal of the season with a header off a pinpoint free kick.
Easts came out of the sheds after halftime the better side and got the rewards when Amos levelled at 2-2, before taking the lead in the 64th minute with a Susanne McKeen goal.
After spurning a host of chances, United then salvaged a point with an Easts own goal in the last minute of normal time.
With the top four slowly drifting out of reach, United can make a statement when they host Lions at 5pm on Sunday.
The Richlands side sit second behind Souths United and are coming off a 6-2 thumping of Logan Lightning.
Striker Tegan Riding sits equal-fourth on the NPLW goalscoring table with 15 in 14 games.
At Sid Bigg Park yesterday, Mudgeeraba’s defensive woes continued with a 6-2 loss to Western Pride.
The Wallabies have now conceded a staggering 103 goals in 15 games, 17 more than their closest rivals.
They travel to Souths United at 6pm on Sunday.