Panthers find their confidence after shocking favourites
BURDEKIN skipper Jeremy Dal Santo believes his side is still well in the hunt to play finals football after scoring an upset draw against competition frontrunner MA Olympic.
In a seesawing contest that went down to the wire when Olympic hit the crossbar in the 90th minute, it was the Panthers’ tenacity in the early stages that shone through.
They went a goal ahead inside the first 10 minutes courtesy of striker Jay Leckenby but never thought about parking the bus to ride out the remaining 80 minutes.
“We just stuck to our game plan and went hunting for another goal,” Dal Santo said.
While Olympic struck back before the halftime hooter, the Panthers refused to die wondering even having a second half goal from a corner disallowed for offside. The Panthers dug in their heels under late pressure to salvage the point and keep their dream of playing finals alive, with the side now three games shy of Warriors in fourth.
“(MA Olympic) haven’t lost many games this year and they are a good side. To get a point off them is really good for us,” Dal Santo said.
“It gives the guys that bit of confidence. Now, we have Estates this week and there is a job to do. Hopefully we can improve again and get the three points, then we just need to keep moving forwards.”
The Panthers are the most lethal side in the North Queensland Football Premier League, scoring 42 goals this season.
But Dal Santo said they lacked that extra bit of polish that separated the top sides.
“We have been training hard and we knew what was coming and we knew (MA Olympic) would come out swinging,” he said.
“Last week when we played Saints, that was the only game this season where we didn’t score.
“I think (what we are missing) is just that little bit extra 10 per cent from everyone, that little bit more ticker and little bit more hunger.
“It is a mental thing and this result would have helped a lot.”