CUP KINGS’ LEGS ON STRIKE IN SURPRISE RESULT
THE ecstasy of their unlikely FFA Cup success was replaced by confusion at Viney Park on Saturday as Coomera did enough to overcome fellow Premier League finals hopefuls Palm Beach.
Both sides entered Round 9 riding the euphoria of extra-time cup wins over Redlands United and Nambour Yandina respectively, but it was the Colts who regrouped to run out 3-0 winners on the back of second-half goals from Mitch Robinson, Ferdinand Annor and Yuto Okada.
But the margin of the victory came as a surprise to both coaches, who agreed the scoreline didn’t reflect the tightness of the contest.
“I think (the performance) was a little bit ordinary to be honest with you,” Coomera coach Steve Macdonald said.
“It’s good to get the three points not being at our best but I thought (the score) definitely blew out more than it should. Palm Beach were probably the better side but I don’t think we gave them too many chances.
“From last Saturday (against Redlands), I think it really took a toll on the boys’ legs and you could see that from the first minute. But massive hats off to them, that was a big game for them.”
With Round 6 cup games looming, Coomera and Palm Beach will get no respite.
The Colts, who leapfrogged the Sharks back into the top four with victory, will host unbeaten Burleigh Heads on Tuesday night, while Brett Budwee’s troops will travel to Nerang.
“I’m struggling to work out how we got beat, let alone got beaten 3-0,” Budwee said. “I was happy with the way the boys played, there was just a couple of moments in the game where we switched off. But to me, 3-0 is miles away from where it actually was.”
Burleigh made it seven wins in as many games with a 5-1 demolition of Broadbeach United at Nikiforides Park on Saturday, while Nerang took the points 4-2 away to Mudgeeraba.
Second-placed Surfers Paradise also sounded a title statement on Friday night, annihilating Tweed United 11-0 on the back of Teddy Watson’s four-goal haul.