Strikers now on Miners minds

Charlie Payne | 5th April 2010



AFTER taking a point from a goal-less draw with Capricorn Cougars on Friday, the Whitsunday Miners are turning their thoughts to this Saturday.

Whitsunday Miners captain Brett Neeve sends the ball forward against Capricorn Cougars.
Allan Reinikka

AFTER taking a point from a goal-less draw with Capricorn Cougars on Friday night, captain Brett Neeve and the Whitsunday Miners are turning their thoughts to an even bigger challenge this Saturday.

In what will be their first home game of the QSL season, they take on the team regarded as the competition front-runners, Brisbane Strikers.

“They were in the finals for the last two years and minor premiers last season,” Neeve said yesterday.

“They’ve been the best club in the competition, and it’s great to have them as our first home game.

“We hope we can attract a good crowd to see us compete at home for the first time.”

With their heads high after sharing the points with the highly competitive Cougars at Rockhampton, the Miners will be keen to build on the good start with another strong display against the Strikers at the Magpies’ ground, kicking off at 7.30pm.

French import Kevin Nguyen was the only casualty of Friday night’s match, limping off with an ankle injury with about 15 minutes to go, but Neeve expected him to be right for this Saturday.

Neeve, who was Miners captain for the last two games of their debut season in 2008, said he was pleased with the way the side had responded to the challenge of their first match after a highly disrupted preparation due to Mackay’s lengthy wet season.

“It was definitely pleasing; with the preparation we’ve had it was good for us to be able to compete the way we did at Rocky, and we got a point from it as well,” he said.

“We knew we could play that well, and we definitely had the run of them in the first half.

“Our lack of preparation showed in the second half but we dug in deep and hung in there.

“It was a very fast, up-tempo game and it definitely tested our match fitness.

“We’ll definitely do better when we’ve got some matches under our belts.”

Neeve played in a central defender’s role, which he said he enjoyed.

“You’re in the action more and can try to guide the team,” he said.

He felt the input of new coach John Sowter and some talented young players would make the Miners much more competitive this season.

“I think John has given the boys a lot of insight into how you can be better players, and I think this is going to be a good year,

“Everyone contributed on Friday night, especially in the second half when we could have lost it.”

He said young players Rick DeBoer and Corey Hooper stood out.

“Rick’s only 16 but he’s got a lot of talent and a good future in the game,” he said. “Corey played very well at full-back.”

The Miners will train on Wednesday and Thursday at Rangers.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/04/05/strikers-now-on-the-minds-of-the-miners/