Reeves’ potent threat

GOLD Coast United captain Michael Thwaite says defender turned striker Brandon Reeves is poised to become one of the biggest threats in front of goal in the NPL Queensland this season.

A goal from Reeves inside the first four minutes of Saturday’s Round 3 clash with Eastern Suburbs paved the way for Gold Coast to secure a 1-0 at Heath Park in what was their first win of the season.

United pounced after extracting a ball from Eastern Suburbs in the centre of the ground before unleashing Reeves who snuck the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal from an acute angle.

Gold Coast captain Thwaite said the former central defender, who shifted forward through 2018, was set for a big year in 2019.

“I think he will have a standout year this year as a striker,” Thwaite said of the 23year-old.

“Last year he spent some time at centre back but he has become our main no. 9 and a very big threat.

“He is a very dynamic player and has an eye for goal. His positioning is very good and he gets in goal scoring areas.”

Gold Coast beat Eastern Suburbs 5-1 and 5-0 in two preseason games and Thwaite said the early goal on Saturday provided a mental edge for United from the outset.

“It was a great win for the club,” Thwaite said. “We knew once we scored the goal it would be a good reaction for us. We knew it would be in their head about the last time we did that. It became a mental game for the opposition.

“They played a totally different structure to those preseason games so for us it was about making sure we remained focused on how we wanted to play.”

Thwaite said United were confident they had the goal scoring prowess to challenge the best in the NPL Queensland competition this year and needed to continue keeping clean sheets.

“Regardless of how you play it’s about keeping clean sheets and winning games,” Thwaite said.

“That’s what was so disappointing last week (against Queensland Lions). “

Gold Coast will play Brisbane City at Coplick Family Sports Park next Saturday.