Fury eyes on future

NORTHERN Fury coach Paul Roncato will continue to give the club’s youth a taste of the National Premier League by handing teenager Ben Stewart a debut in tonight’s must- win clash against Redlands in Mackay.

The Fury blooded fellow 16year- old striker Kyren Walters in last week’s 2- 0 win on the Sunshine Coast, and Stewart is expected to come off the bench.

Stewart began a busy weekend when he played limited minutes for the Fury’s under- 16 side against Warriors last night, before he travels to Mackay this morning.

“He’ll come off the bench and may only get five minutes, he might get 15,” Roncato said.

“It all depends on how the game plays out and what I decide to do with him.”

Roncato said the likes of Walters and Stewart can establish themselves as the future of the club, and are capable of forming a lethal strike partnership.

“They’re the future NPL players we’re producing here in North Queensland, two young talented kids.,” a hopeful Roncato said.

“It’s an opportunity for them to come away with the NPL side and it’s exciting for them and for me as a coach.”

Despite last week’s win against the bottom- placed Fire, Roncato was far from impressed with the display and has demanded a vast improvement this week.

They will start favourite against second- last Redlands, who are coming off a 5- 0 loss to Western Pride.

“We didn’t take our opportunities against the Fire and have spent a lot of this week concentrating on our finishing and crossing,” Roncato said.

“Mackay is in the NPL next year, it’s a nice thing to give regions throughout North Queensland an NPL game.”

Redlands were beaten 5- 0 by the Western Pride last week and will be out to bounce back. TONIGHT - NPL Queensland round 16: Northern Fury v Redlands at Mackay Magpies Ground, 7pm long- term