APOLLO UNABLE TO OPEN UP WARRIORS
SOUTHPORT Warriors have held double winners and Premier League highflyers Surfers Paradise to a goalless draw in Sunday afternoon action.
The home side went into the match without defender Dylan Yuill and head coach Steve Macdonald, both suspended from their recent FFA Cup victory against Wynnum Wolves.
From the outset, it was clear that the Warriors had a plan in place on how they would line up against Apollo, conceding large portions of possession in order to remain tight defensively and disrupt the fluent attacking style of their opponents.
Apollo created opportunities throughout the entirety of the game, however could not convert for the duration of the 90 minutes, lacking the end product they so often find throughout key stages.
Both sides had penalty shouts waved away, with Apollo denied two goals through the off-side flag in both the first and second halves.
Apollo coach Alex Morrison was left disappointed with the outcome of the match.
“I thought we weren’t as fluid in attack as we normally are and could not find the final ball or breakthrough to take all three points today,” he said.
“We could not break down their defence as much as we would have liked, but we had plenty of opportunities to seal the game.”
With Macdonald forced to the grandstands for the match, stand-in coach Robert Woods said his side had winning in mind but it wasn’t to be.
“We are happy but we believe we can beat anyone in the league if we play the way we can.
“They held majority of the ball but at the end we could have possibly nicked the three points with Morgan Saunders hitting the post,” said Woods.
Having been held to a draw against the Warriors last season on their way to an undefeated league title, the focus now for Apollo will be on executing the final ball and capitalising on their opportunities.
“We work hard on our crossing and finishing and will continue to do so to ensure we can capitalise on our opportunities moving forward,” said Morrison.
Apollo now turn their focus to tonight’s FFA Cup clash against Mitchelton FC before preparing for their league match against Robina on Sunday.
Southport travel to Broadbeach on Saturday afternoon in what will be a big three points on the line for both teams.