Lassche draws duties at both ends of the field
A positional shift was always in line for Jeffrey Lassche when the FNQ Premier League kicked off this year, but he hadn’t intended on wearing gloves for Marlin Coast.
But that’s where the longterm Rangers man ended up 23 minutes into their game against Leichhardt on Saturday night, after goalkeeper Caleb Hewiston was shown a red card.
Hewiston was the second goalkeeper to see red after former FNQ Heat gloveman Joshua Wilson, in his first game for Leichhardt since a return to the Premier League, was sent off for a challenge just five minutes into the game.
Nathan Haydon was named on Leichhardt’s bench and was an easy choice to step into goals for the home side, but the visitors’ had no such luck.
Already down on troops with only a three-man bench with no goalkeeping experience, Lassche, who started the game on the wing, grabbed the gloves and set up shop.
The midfielder turned striker allowed two goals in a threeminute period as Daniel Ting and Alex Russell gave the Lions a 2-0 lead after 38 minuets.
But Lassche would have the last laugh, scoring two penalties – one five minutes into injury time in the first half and the second in the 83rd minute
– to ensure the points were split in the second round clash.’
The result might have done more for Marlin Coast’s than Leichhardt.
“We were really pumped when we got back into the dressing room,” Lassche said.
“We went 2-0 down and were able to fight back.
“We had only nine men for the last 10 minutes. We’ve had a fair few injuries – Matteo (Guzzo) was injured last week and had to play, and I’ve been playing through some injuries – but we got it done.
“We’re lacking that depth, those guys who can come on and keep us going forward, but the structure will come.
“After the 3-0 loss to Innisfail last week, we’re more confident than before.”
Innisfail United kept its hot start to the campaign rolling after a 3-1 win against Mareeba United, while Edge Hill United beat Southside Comets 3-1 in their first game of the season.