UNITED TOO STRONG FOR CAIRNS FC
A SPIRITED Cairns FC has fallen to a fourth-straight loss in blustery conditions at Barlow Park to stay precariously close to the relegation zone.
Moreton Bay escaped with a 2-1 win yesterday, scoring a penalty just before halftime and sealing it in stoppage time.
Cairns FC only appeared to come alive once the game was over, also scoring in stoppage time and then almost equalising in a crazy final few minutes, despite being down to 10 men after Crios O’Hare was sent off in the 69th minute.
The home side played with purpose to start the match, making several forays forward without capitalising in the final third.
Moreton Bay had the best of the attacking opportunities, sending in numerous dangerous crosses but missing that final polish. They didn’t need it in the 42nd minute when Shaun Owens was too late to stop a Riley Campbell cross and sent him crashing to ground just inside the penalty area.
Josh Wilson saved the initial penalty attempt but Jets’ Alex Janovsky easily tapped in on his second shot to put the visitors in front 1-0 at halftime.
Cairns’ frustration boiled over in the 69th minute when Crios O’Hare was given a second yellow for dropping a shoulder into his opponent and from there Moreton Bay dominated.
A Jets goalkick that bounced over goalkeeper Josh Wilson and straight to Declan Smith allowed the visitors to seemingly seal the game in stoppage time.
But Cairns scored through Josh Taylor a minute later and came close to equalising but had to settle for a fourth consecutive loss.
Cairns FC coach Danny Graystone said the players were disappointed their efforts went unrewarded.
“I think we showed a bit more energy. We’ve gone through a little bit of a lull, there’s no doubt about that, but I think the performance (yesterday) in general, apart from the mistakes for the goals, showed that hopefully we’re turning a bit of a corner,” he said.
“It has taken a bit longer than I hoped it would have done, but the energy’s back, the enthusiasm is back and we look forward to the FFA Cup game on Wednesday.”
Graystone denied fatigue from three games in eight days was a factor in the loss.
“If fatigue was a factor, how come we can raise it when we lose a man or raise it when we lose a goal. We’ve just got to learn to keep our energy levels high,” he said.
Cairns FC play Southside Comets in an FFA Cup qualifier on Wednesday before a home NPL clash with SWQ Thunder on May 12.