Sidelined Bull revs up team

David Lems | 18th June 2010

PASSIONATE Ipswich City captain Mark Fancourt will miss his second local derby of the season against the Ipswich Knights tonight.

Ipswich Knights striker Trent Griffiths (green shirt) is fired up for a huge weekend – tackling local derby rivals Ipswich City tonight before leading the Ipswich Invitational side against Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Sarah Harvey

PASSIONATE Ipswich City captain Mark Fancourt will miss his second local derby of the season against the Ipswich Knights tonight.

After being injured for the first 0-0 draw at Bundamba, Fancourt is suspended for the latest Division 1 football clash at Sutton Park, Brassall, this evening.

However, Fancourt hopes to use his trademark determination to rev up his team after a 6-1 loss to Mitchelton in the previous clash.

“We are in the middle of the table. We’d like to think that we are going well at the moment,” Fancourt said.

“We had a bit of a setback last weekend. We need to come back and keep pushing forward.

“We just have to work really, really hard . . . and do it for each other.

“Get Ipswich Cup out of your head and start working really hard.”

Fancourt was disappointed to be suspended a few weeks back for retaliation.

“The referee came on and said that I punched him (opposing player),” Fancourt said.

“But I just grabbed his shirt and gave him a bit of shake because I didn’t like the tackle.

“I’m a passionate player.”

Dependable Knights striker Trent Griffiths was thrilled to be named captain of the Ipswich Invitational side playing Brisbane Roar on Sunday.

However, his first mission is helping the Knights topple the Bulls in tonight’s 8.30pm duel.

“It’s a pretty important game for us Knights. We can’t afford to drop three points now,” Griffiths said.

The Knights are back in fourth spot after a recent revival.

Bulls coach Trent Abel put his team through their paces on Tuesday night and planned a light session last night after his team had last weekend off.

Along with Fancourt, the Bulls are without midfielder Norbert Duga and striker Matt Hilli who are in South Africa watching the World Cup.

“We’re not going to make excuses,” Abel said. “We’ll go out there and try to play our game and try and get a result.”

The Knights are looking to field their top side after some key players were rested last weekend.

In tonight’s other Division 1 clash, Western Spirit tackle Brisbane Force at Kippen Park, Goodna.

The game between the competition leaders and unpredictable Force is also at 8.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Ipswich Invitational side has received a boost in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash with Brisbane Roar at the North Ipswich Reserve.

Dairy Farmers has thrown its sponsorship support behind the home team.

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/06/18/ipswich-city-captain-mark-fancourt-knights-derby/