Deadlock a setback for hopes

Steele Taylor | 5th July 2010

WHITSUNDAY and rivals QAS were left disappointed at Glenella on Saturday when a 2-2 deadlock further stifled their hopes.

Whitsunday’s Matthew Zappone competes for the ball at Glenella on Saturday.
PETER HOLT

WHITSUNDAY and rivals QAS were left disappointed at Glenella on Saturday when a 2-2 deadlock further stifled their hopes of a top-four finish in this year’s Queensland State League.

The fifth-placed Miners and fourth-placed QAS were desperate to stay in the hunt for a finals berth but the draw leaves both teams with plenty to do in the closing rounds.

“They (QAS) were up here for three points to push them up the table and we needed the three points to skip QAS on the ladder,” Miners coach Troy Mundy said.

“But it didn’t work out for either team.”

Goalkeeper Brad Moss produced a string of saves during the first half to keep his team in the contest and it was the Miners who gained the upper hand when central midfielder Corey Hooper shaped a shot that took a deflection and nestled into the back of the net at Sologinkin Oval.

Minutes later, a counter-attack from QAS reaped rewards when a cross was pounced on by Mitchell Cooper.

“To be honest they had the running in the first half and we didn’t adapt to their fast play,” Mundy said.

“But in the second half we did adapt to the situation and the game which was very pleasing.”

However, midway through the second stanza, Luca Jaanase used sheer pace to beat his markers, unleashing a powerful shot to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Chasing a much-needed result, the Miners found an equaliser in the 74th minute when the visitors were pegged for handball in the penalty area.

Miners’ midfielder Daniel Scotton took aim and slotted the penalty kick to help Whitsunday to a share of the spoils.

While it was a poor result for both teams, Mundy still believed his side could still force its way into the playoffs and has challenged his troops to lift for this weekend’s encounter with

adversaries Capricorn Cougars in Rockhampton.

“It’ll be up to the boys if they want to play finals football,” he said before admitting he would settle for nothing less than a fifth-placed finish.

Wanderers’ weapon and former Miners striker Michael van Moolenbroek played in his first QSL game of the season, replacing Tyson Masters after 60 minutes.

He produced a solid showing and Mundy was hopeful the forward would lace-up again with the Miners. But as an invitational player, van Moolenbroek can not play more than 45 minutes per game for the Miners if he is also playing club football.


http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/07/05/deadlock-a-setback-for-top-four-hopes/