United go on attack
NORTH Queensland United placed a big emphasis on scoring in this week’s training, with the intention of following up on last week’s 4- 1 thrashing of Sunshine Coast FC.
But United’s coach Michael Brooks said his side could have almost doubled that score if it was not for “four or five” missed chances.
Brooks said NQU needed to be sharper in front of goal today against the Magpies Crusaders FC in Mackay.
He said the two sides would be very different from the first time they met at the start of the season when United beat the Magpies 2- 1 at home.
“We’ve done a lot of finishing this week,” Brooks said.
“If we’re not going to be creating a whole heap, we have to be clinical.”
Brooks said last weekend’s win showcased United’s potential.
“I’m not surprised, the boys have always been capable,” he said.
“If everyone is firing we can start climbing the ladder.”
But Brooks said his side would have to remain switched on for the entirety of the game after they all owed the Sunshine Coast to get a goal back i n a game United dominated.
“In the second half ( against Sunshine Coast) we were a bit slow to come out,” he said.
United will also be challenged with the loss of skipper Corey Waples, who is away for a wedding.
Waples is United’s top scorer with five goals, and key player Robin Edwards is also unavailable.
Brooks said they would be replaced by Hamish Cassady and Matthew Richards, with both showing they have goalscoring ability.
Richards has scored three goals in six matches while Cassady has bagged one from seven games.
Magpies fell to second from the bottom of the Queensland NPL lad- der after they lost 5- 2 to Olympic FC, while United climbed out of the relegation zone and into 10th spot.
But United are not out of the relegation battle yet, with every result counting towards their fight to remain in the top league.
United versus Magpies kicks off at 7pm at Mackay’s Sologinkin Oval.