Fury victory ‘ worst’ game
THEY kept a clean sheet and secured a much- needed win, but Northern Fury coach Paul Roncato still rated yesterday’s 2- 0 NPL Queensland win over Sunshine Coast as “our worst performance all year”.
The Fury annihilated the winless Fire 8- 0 in their previous meeting this season, but they were wasteful in front of goal in securing a fifth victory of the year.
Although they lost 4- 1 to Brisbane City last week, Roncato was far happier with their effort and energy against a stronger team than the lowly Fire.
The Fury opened the scoring just before halftime when a cross from 16year- old debutant Kyren Walters, who came on as a substitute for the injured Reid Murray ( quad), found Jonathan Bagley who headed home.
Just after the hour mark, the visitors gave themselves breathing space when captain Corey Waples made no mistake from the penalty spot.
“The energy we put in last week, we didn’t play anywhere near that today,” Roncato said.
“We played to Sunshine Coast’s level and yes, it’s great to get the three points we need, but it was just disappointing it was our worst performance all year.
“We created a lot of chances upfront but missed sitter after sitter.
“We missed three in the first five minutes and if you don’t take them, you can regret it.
“We still created chances which is a positive, but we were very complacent in front of goal which cost us scoring another five or six.”
Roncato was happy with Walters’ first- up showing, while under- 20s player Ezra Kennell also impressed starting for the first time.
“He ( Walters) did a wonderful job in his first time playing and he’s only going to learn from that,” Roncato said.
Meanwhile in the North Queensland Premier League, Burdekin kept their top four hopes alive after a Glen Searle double propelled them to a 2- 1 win over second- placed Olympic, ladder leaders Brothers had to settle for a 2- all draw against Rebels and Saints Eagles Souths accounted for Warriors 2- 1. NPL Northern Fury 2 ( Jonathon Bagley 45’, Corey Waples pen 62’) bt Sunshine Coast 0. NQ PREMIER LEAGUE Rebels FC 2 ( D Manson, K Dennis) drew with Brothers FC 2 ( M Richards 2); Burdekin FC 2 ( G Searle 2) bt MA Olympic FC 1 ( R Edmonds); Townsville Warriors FC 1 ( M Milgate) lost to Saints Eagles Souths FC 2 ( D Payne, M Crowley).