Striker stars as Brothers step up

HE is not certain how she does it, but as long as Mary Moyo keeps scoring goals, Brothers coach Steve Mcnaughton is not going to stop her.

The medical student returned to the Brothers’ fold this season after three years out of the game, and has brought a unique striking option to the reigning premiers.

Moyo sits second on the North Queensland Football premier league goal scorers’ list providing a constant highlight reel in their undefeated start to the season.

The forward has scored five goals in three games for Brothers and will need to be at her lethal best as the premier league leaders take on arch rivals MA Olympic in a grand final rematch tonight.

“She is one of those players that there is an awkwardness about her and then she just produces something that you sit back and say ‘where did that come from’,” Mcnaughton said.

“You never know what you are going to get from her. I don’t think she expects much out of herself.

“She doesn’t think too much, she is concentrating on what she can produce for the team. I keep saying to her ‘just keep doing what you are doing’.

“If she keeps coming up with a goal a game I will be more than happy.”

But the coach believes Moyo’s best asset comes far away from the playing field.

“Her attitude is so positive,” he said. “There is nothing that gets her down. She is like a breath of fresh air when she comes to training. Everything is positive and that is infectious for the team.”

Mcnaughton said his strong midfield including captain Lara Seeger, the returning Darcy Bailey and Xanthe Dumbrell had to be given some credit for the team’s early season success.

The midfield has been key to the Brothers side.

The premiers will need to be at their best if they are to find their way through a tough MA Olympic defence, which is coming off a strong clean sheet against Estates last round.

“We really look forward to this clash and I am sure they are the same, they want to play against good opposition and you want to test yourself against the best.

“We rate Olympic as one of the best teams in Townsville.

“We are always confident but there are two teams on the field. I have always said the opposition has a vote in this. They will come out strong.

“I don’t care too much if the results go the way they go, we just have to play good football. There is a desire to play good football, there is energy about working for each other. I think it is a case of they don’t want to let each other down.”

A win over MA Olympic at Burt Street will put Brothers two games clear at the top of the ladder and Mcnaughton said they needed to build that lead as much as they could before the halfway point in the season.

“Every year we have been in the mix, the second round has always been tough for us because the opposition has had a look at you, they know what to expect and we have to change the way we do things,” he said.

“Then you have all the back end of the year stuff like injuries, it is always difficult. We need to make hay while the sun shines.”