Jheison Macuace bags four as Knights rout Redlands, while Gold Coast United take point from Lions
He arrived as one of the biggest signings of the NPL off-season and Jheison Macuace has wasted no time making his mark at the Gold Coast Knights after a stunning four-goal haul in their rout of Redlands United on Saturday night.
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HE arrived as one of the biggest signings of the NPL off-season and Jheison Macuace has wasted no time making his mark at the Gold Coast Knights after a stunning four-goal haul in their rout of Redlands United on Saturday night.
An influential figure in Lions’ run to back-to-back premierships last season, Macuace showed off his full attacking arsenal as the Knights crushed Redlands 9-0 at Cleveland for a third-straight win.
The Colombian striker bagged two goals in each half as the visitors built on a 5-0 halftime lead, with Max Brown (two) Jarrod Kyle, Mitch Nichols and Matt Henvey also finding the net.
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Macuace, 27, now leads the NPL goalscoring tally alongside Lions’ Joe Duckworth, with six.
With their first two games postponed, the Knights were forced to play three games in seven days but showed no signs of fatigue to jump to the top of the NPL ladder.
“It is always helpful when you are winning to back up for three games in one week. We can’t sit back and put the excuses on the short turnarounds because we are ready and have the squad to get the job done,” coach Grae Piddick said.
COAST CUP HOPES GO ON THE LINE
Local rivals Gold Coast United did the Knights a favour earlier on Saturday by holding Lions to a pulsating 4-4 draw at Coplick Family Sports Park.
Making his first start of the season, A-League great Shane Smeltz netted twice to give United a 2-1 advantage at the break before the premiers rallied to lead 3-2.
Things got worse for the hosts when Sam Smith was given a straight red card in the 60th minute, with the Lions pouncing to go ahead 4-2.
The Surfsiders then pulled one back through stand-in skipper Justyn McKay, before snatching a last-minute equaliser.
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A curling Cian Cuba corner beat Lions goalkeeper Luke Borean, with teammate Henry Hore then heading one into his own net to level the scores.
United host Mackay and Whitsundays on Saturday, while the Knights tackle fellow heavyweights Peninsula Power at the Croatian Sports Centre.
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