Second- half fightback strengthens coach’s confidence

NORTHERN Fury coach Paul Roncato says the Fury deserve to be “glowing with pride” despite Saturday’s season opening 3- 1 loss against the Moreton Jets.

The Fury were left to rue two missed early goal scoring opportunities, the first when Warrick Stuart met a cross at the far post but failed to get past Jets’ goalkeeper Joshua Lagudah, and the second when Stuart was again denied by Lagudah after controlling a long ball to strike low.

It was all one- way traffic for the Fury inside the first five minutes, but Moreton Bay soon made the Fury pay by burying their early chances to gain a 2- 0 lead.

A fast and furious passage of football followed as both sides struggled to break their opponent’s defence, highlighted by Fury forward Reece Edmond’s break through the middle on 42 minutes, only to be denied by a last- ditch Jets’ tackle.

Fury’s George Dalton had a point- blank shot denied by a superb Lagudah save midway through the second half, and Fury keeper Ryan Murphy also came up with some superb stops, but Moreton Bay sealed it with a 75th minute penalty when Campbell was brought down inside the area.

The Fury’s consolation goal came just before full- time when a wayward Jets’ pass flew over the Moreton Bay gloveman.

“It could have easily gone our way,” Roncato said.

“The standard of football was really high and in the second half we outplayed the Jets, no doubt about it.

“Even the Moreton Bay officials gave us feedback on how impressed they were.

“It’s just disappointing we just couldn’t make our chances count, and a little bit more luck would have helped.

“We have to remember that it was our first big hitout of the year against NPL opposition, and the Jets played NPL trials and went unbeaten.”

Roncato fielded a defensive 4- 5- 1 formation after having less than a fortnight to prepare for the Fury’s first NPL hitout, with former Fury head coach Ian Ferguson tendering his resignation recently.

The Fury now have a week to prepare for their first home game against regional rivals the FNQ Heat on Saturday.

The fixture in Ingham is a ‘ home’ game for the Fury, with the Ingham Showgrounds to host the NQ derby.

The Heat – grand finalists last year – beat Gold Coast City 3- 2 in their season opener.

“I would ask our supporters to remain patient and stick with us during these early weeks,” Roncato said, whose team emerged injury- free.

“We’ll deliver the beautiful football our fans want to see and what North Queensland football deserves.

“We have learned a lot from this game.”