Tigers hungry for triple-title repeat
THREE more trophies is at the top of Kevin Ward’s Christmas list as he and his Edge Hill United teammates prepare for their title defence.
Edge Hill United won the championship, premiership and Crad Evans Shield under coach Crios O’Hare, though it’s the early exit from the FFA Cup which still stings.
The Tigers gave up an early 2-0 lead against Leichhardt, who went on to win 5-2 and eliminated Edge Hill United from the national knockout tournament.
As the Tigers prepare for another FNQ Premier League campaign, which they won easily by 16 points last season, Ward said the goal was clearly to maintain their dominance.
It won’t be easy, but Ward’s put the pressure on himself to perform even better in goals and lead from the back.
“If we can go back-to-backto-back and win the treble again, it’d be good,” Ward told the Cairns Post. “And if we can go further in the FFA Cup.
“Personally, I want to improve on last year. I think we only conceded 15 goals last year but we’re going to have to concede less than that moving into this year.”
Ward spent several seasons at the FNQ Heat in the NPL before joining Edge Hill United, where he’s been for the past three seasons as he juggles his love of football and work.
The 27-year-old has won plenty of silverware in his time at the Tigers, and was also the man in goal as the FNQ Select XI took on A-League glamour club Sydney FC in a hastily arranged pre-season fixture.
While Sydney FC eventually romped home 7-0, Ward said it was an unforgettable experience and he implored young players to take advantage of any opportunity to face elite competition if it comes their way again.
“Any player who gets the opportunity, especially the younger ones, they need to cherish it because you don’t know when it will come around again,” Ward said.
“The experience was fantastic. The preparation for us wasn’t the best with the short notice, but for half an hour, 45 minutes, we put in a good performance.
“If you’re a younger player wanting to play at that level, be performing week-in, week-out, and make it hard for Alex Srhoj or the coaching staff not to pick you.”
Ward won’t be taking it easy when Edge Hill United face fellow FNQ Premier League contenders Stratford in a friendly tomorrow evening, five weeks before the start of a Premier League the goalkeeper said is filled with quality.
“I think the quality is there, there’s some teams who can play and there’s some good goals that are scored,” Ward said.
Edge Hill United start their FFA Cup at home to Mareeba United on Saturday, March 7. They’ll start their Premier League defence with a firstround bye, before a road trip to Southside Comets on April 5.