Hyundai Queensland State League – Round 6
NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks v Sunshine Coast Fire
A serious challenge faces the undefeated Sunshine Coast Fire this weekend, as the boys make the long trip north to take on the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks in Townsville.
After a favourable early season draw, which saw the Fire’s away match with QAS played at Stockland Park, this weekend marks the first major road-trip of the season.
But with five wins from as many games, the Fire are surely confident of returning from Townsville with another three points in the bag.
The Razorback’s sit third on the ladder with three wins, one loss and a draw, and are coming off a 4-1 away victory against QAS in Brisbane. In their two home matches this season, they have accounted for the Brisbane Strikers and Whitsunday Miners without conceding a goal.
In fact, the early season defensive record of the Razorback’s is impressive, with only four goals conceded from five fixtures.
The Sunshine Coast will likely cause problems for the Razorback’s defence, having found the back of the net 19 times this season at an average of just under four goals per game. Also, in the three year history of the Hyundai QSL, the Razorback’s are yet to taste victory over the Sunshine Coast Fire.
The Fire last week overcame a soggy pitch to run out 4-1 winners over the Whitsunday Miners, after controlling the majority of the game. However a mix-up in defence for the Fire early in the second half gifted the Whitsundays their first goal of the season, and let them back into the game.
Speaking after the match, defender Ray Schultz admitted that the team was disappointed to not keep a clean sheet.
“That was our main aim today. It wasn’t so much how many goals we scored today, it was about keeping a clean sheet, and we were really disappointed to leak a soft goal,” Schultz said.
Schultz believes that as the on-field chemistry between players get better, the Fire will continue to steadily improve.
“Everyone is working well together, and starting to get combinations right. It’s only a matter of time before we really gel as a team.”
The Fire are well aware of the resistance they will face against the Razorback’s on Saturday night.
“It will definitely be a big test; any game away from home is a big task. But we expect, in ourselves, that we should win every game but because we have such a good bunch of players,” Schultz said.
The match kicks off at 7.30pm on Saturday May 1 at Brolga Park, Townsville.
