NQU mauled after Lions run rampant
NORTH Queensland United coach Michael Brooks says the struggling team won’t salvage their season unless players cut out mental lapses and “start being accountable for their mistakes” after they were mauled 6- 0 by Lions FC at Brolga Park on Saturday.
The result ensures NQU remains in the bottom two of the National Premier League as they battle to avoid relegation in their debut season. The hosts held the third- placed Lions at bay for 34 minutes before two goals in as many minutes from Jheison Macuace put them on top.
Four more Lions goals in the second half condemned NQU to their heaviest defeat of the year, which was compounded by a knee injury to defender Matthew Miller.
Darren Walker also hurt his ankle, but will miss next week’s clash with Moreton Bay regardless after picking up his fifth yellow card for the year. “We’re giving the opposition gifts and guys have to start being accountable for their mistakes, because that’s what’s killing us,” Brooks said yesterday.
“We need to concentrate a bit more and cut them out, have faith in the rest of the team and go for it.
“They are playing well in general, but it’s that one lapse that’s absolutely killing us and it’s been the case week in, week out.
“Those lapses are killing us and unless we stamp them out, we’re going to be in really big trouble.”
The potential loss of Miller is the last thing NQU need given their defensive fragility this campaign.
“He’s been one of our better defenders and we have to see how bad it is, but if it’s a longterm injury it’s going to be a major loss for us,” Brooks said.
“The players have been pretty positive in general, but once that first goal goes in a few drop their heads initially, and it takes a while to get them to rally again.
“When we give the ball away cheaply in our own half, teams like that are going to punish you.”
NQU host fourth- placed Moreton Bay at Brolga Park this Saturday night.
NPL QUEENSLAND: Lions FC 6 ( J Macuace 34’, 35’; A Thompson 67’, M Madle 81’, 90+ 2’; N Shepherd 90’) beat North Queensland United 0 at Brolga Park, Townsville on Saturday night.