Edge Hill United in form ahead of dream FFA Cup clash
A disappointed Edge Hill United has bounced back to the devastating form for which they are known, all but sealing the FNQ Premier League premiership as they prepare for the FFA Cup.
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A DISAPPOINTED Edge Hill United has bounced back to the devastating form for which they are known, all but sealing the FNQ Premier League premiership with a decisive 7-1 win against Marlin Coast at Tiger Park.
The Tigers were held to a 2-2 draw at Leichhardt a week ago, and Edge Hill United coach Crios O’Hare was not happy with the way his team played on that night - especially since the club is just a fortnight from a crucial FFA Cup Round of 32 clash at Barlow Park.
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But the two-time defending treble champions may have found their way forward, after covering the loss of gun youngster Ben McDonnell, who is gone for the rest of the season with a broken leg, and injured duo Ryan Murray and Jesse Casson, in what was a strong return to form.
That it came against the FNQ Premier League’s lowest ranked side didn’t faze O’Hare, who knew what he wanted from his team.
“We were pretty disappointed after last week’s game, it didn’t matter who we played this week, it was about us getting back to the things we do well,” O’Hare said.
“We really dominated in that second half. They scored that early goal but, after that, we were in control.
“Once we scored, I was confident we could go on.”
The Rangers must have felt history may repeat when they struck via Simon Baldry in just the third minute to take a surprise lead.
It was Marlin Coast who snapped the Tigers’ 30-game winning run when they last met, and the Rangers dared to dream after Baldry’s early strike put them in front.
The Tigers fought to take back control, equalising in the 15th via Aaron Bull before taking the lead on the half hour with O’Hare’s first of four goals on another outstanding night for the runaway Golden Boot leader.
Davit Davitadze, who replaced McDonnell in the starting lineup, scored, as did Joshua Taylor, who will be one of the club’s most dangerous weapons come August 18 when they host Gold Coast Knights in the FFA Cup.
The current Covid lockdown in south east Queensland has cast early doubt on the fixture, though O’Hare and his team are ploughing on, planning to meet - and beat - the Knights on August 18 to secure their place in the last 16 and make some history along the way.
That’s partly why O’Hare was okay to keep Murray and Casson out of the lineup.
“If it was a bigger game, they might have been able to play,” O’Hare said.
“But we’ve got that Cup game coming up and we need everyone to be 100 per cent for that game.”
O’Hare moved to 26 goals for the season, 16 more than nearest rival, Leichhardt’s Seamus Fowler, who had 10, before Sunday evening’s clash at Mareeba, and the player-coach is in good nick as he makes that league’s topscoring award his own - even if he credits his teammates with serving chances on a platter.
“I’m feeling pretty good physically,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in myself to go out there and score goals, but for me, it’s about getting the three points.”
Fifth-placed Innisfail United beat Stratford 3-2 on Saturday to keep pace with the top four.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as Edge Hill United in form ahead of dream FFA Cup clash
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