Robina 2 ready for any ambush
ROBINA City 2 are taking nothing for granted against winless Kingscliff tonight as they step up their quest for a Gold Coast Women’s Premier League berth.
With the current 11-team Women’s League to split into Premier League and Coast League competitions after Round 11, seventh-placed Robina 2 can move closer to a spot in the top flight with victory over Kingscliff at Walter Peate Reserve at 8pm.
Grand final winners in last year’s Coast League, the Paul Rushton-coached side (nine points) have split their six matches so far to trail fifthplaced Robina 1 by four points with a game in hand.
However, a 4-0 loss to ladder-leading Broadbeach 1 in Round 8 last week has them on alert for a Kingscliff ambush.
“The ladder position for Kingscliff doesn’t reflect how good they are,” Rushton said.
“(Robina 1) played them three weeks ago and beat them 5-0 so I fully expect it will be a tough game on Friday night.
“Robina 2 knows they’re in for a tough game, but if they stick to the game plan and play like they have in the last two games I have no doubt they’ll do very well.
“The game Kingscliff played (Robina 1), they were really good.
“I’m shocked they’re still on zero points because they really put up a fight.”
Having received a 6-1 touch up from second-placed Southport 2 in Round 2, Rushton said he was proud of the way his charges had responded.
“I’m extremely pleased at the way they’ve improved compared to some of the games against Premier League teams (from 2017) earlier in the season. Their defence has tightened substantially and the midfield and attack is improving every week.
“The girls were very excited about how they played most of the game (last week) and they’re excited about upcoming games against other Premier League teams.
“The last couple of games have been tough match ups but I think the girls really showed for large parts of the game they can match it. They now just need to turn it into a 90-minute performance.”