United’s season hangs in balance
NORTH Queensland United coach Michael Brooks believes it’s almost crunch time for his side’s NPL finals aspirations as they host the Brisbane Roar Youth at Brolga Park tonight.
United are coming off back- toback losses before the Easter break and they’re desperate to notch another win to avoid the mid- table logjam, with just one win separating the 10th- placed Townsville side from the fourth- placed Brisbane Strikers.
Brooks said his players were feeling refreshed after last weekend’s bye and he stressed that it was crucial they come out full of energy on their home turf against the Roar.
“We’re up against a very young team, but they’ve shown that they’ve got some quality about them by taking some decent scalps already this year. If we don’t turn up ready to go then they could do the same to us,” Brooks said.
“Hopefully we can put the pressure on them early, get up in their faces a little bit and use our physicality to dictate the terms and limit their time on the ball.
“We actually have a chance that we could jump another couple of spots ( up the ladder) if we can get a win, but if we don’t get the result then we could also drop a couple.
“We just have to worry about what we can control, which is our style of game, and get there and get the points.”
United will welcome back Matthew Richards after he served a one- game ban for two yellow cards and Brooks said the right winger was itching to get back on the field.
“He’s been off a week longer than the rest of them so he’s definitely keen to get amongst it,” Brooks said.
Meanwhile, the local Premier League competition also returns this afternoon as Burdekin and MA Olympic kick off the season at Brolga Park from 4.30pm.
Matches continue tomorrow from 6pm with Rebels taking on Brothers at Greenwood Park, while Warriors host Ingham at Melrose Park, and Wulguru come up against Saints at Wulguru Park. stuck in