Grimley back to fill hole for City
GOLD Coast City have come up with a ready-made replacement for young striker Rhys Saunders for the remainder of the NPL Queensland season.
Saunders has decided to join second-tier local Coast League 1 club Merrimac for a month before he returns to college in America.
In his place City regain gifted youngster Ethan Grimley, who has suffered this year with osteitis pubis.
“He’ll come off the bench this weekend,” coach Grae Piddick said in the lead-up to City’s clash with Brisbane Roar Youth at Duncan McKenna Field tonight.
“He hasn’t played NPL first grade since the second round but he has had a couple now in our youth team to get some match fitness.
“He has scored a couple of goals there and we know what he’s capable of. It’s an important time of the year and we expect him to make an impact.”
Originally from Lismore, Grimley linked with City (then Palm Beach Sharks) for the inaugural NPLQ season in 2013.
He played with the Sharks until last year when he left for Broadbeach United in the local Premier League and ended the golden boot winner with 25 goals.
The unavailability of playmaking midfielder Nik Mirkovic (work) opened the way for Grimley’s promotion to first grade, although Piddick said he would start on the bench.
Jacob Boutoubia, the club’s off-season signing from Sydney Olympic, will start against the Roar Youth.
The game has been brought forward a week, giving City a longer break to get ready for their Westfield FFA Cup round of 32 tie against Perth club Western Knights on Wednesday night, August 2, at Duncan McKenna Field.
With four rounds to play before the NPLQ finals, City can make a big statement for league championship (minor premiership) honours with a win tonight.