Southport have defeated Robina 4-1 in their first competitive match since March

A Gold Coast coach admits he didn’t recognise his own side. READ THE FULL REPORT

SOUTHPORT Premier League coach Rob Semple couldn’t recognise his own side during the first half of their clash against Robina City.

Playing their first competitive match since March, the Warriors were unrecognisable and trailed 1-0 heading into halftime in the battle of the newly promoted.

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But a second half, four-goal blitz ensured Southport had the first Premier League laugh after Robina had the final say last year, winning the 2019 Coast League 1 championship.

Robina (blue shirts) took on Southport in Gold Coast Premier League round 3 today. Both teams were promoted from a lower league last season and this is the first time they have clashed in the Gold Coast Premier League. Photo of Joe Lamb (green) and Dean Wernerson. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I can’t put my finger on it but we are usually a stronger team in the second half of games,” Semple said.

“A lot of it was trying to find out feet and not playing in months and Robina scoring gave us the kick up the backside we needed.

“We remained positive at half time and knew our fitness levels were probably higher than theirs.

“I didn’t recognise us in the first half but we blew Robina away after that.”

Winning without renowned striker Morgan Saunders also gave Semple’s men a confidence boost, as did defeating a side that boasts former NPL players.

“We played them three times in the space of a month at the end of last year but they’re an entirely different team now and it was a massive chance for us to claim three points and hopefully go on to be competitive against the top teams,” Semple said.

“They’re an entirely different team this year so I don’t think the rivalry is as intense.”

Robina (blue shirts) took on Southport in Gold Coast Premier League round 3 today. Both teams were promoted from a lower league last season and this is the first time they have clashed in the Gold Coast Premier League. Photo of Brandon Chin after nearly scoring. Photo by Richard Gosling

At Lex Bell oval, Surfers Paradise flexed their muscle with a 4-1 victory over Broadbeach United thanks to a goal on debut from recruit Andrew Barasic.

“We wanted to exploit them to be honest but their keeper kept them in it,” Surfers coach Alex Morrison said.

“I thought to myself we were getting into a game I didn’t want to be part of.”

Down at Palm Beach, the Sharks made a big statement in their first game since March with a 4-2 victory over Coomera.

After overseeing the team for the past few years, Palm Beach coach Brett Budwee said his side was finally beginning to see the results of their hard work.

“We wanted to make a bit of a statement here at home and the desire the boys showed to get over the line was really encouraging,” he said.

“They look like men now instead of boys.

“We can match it physically with any team.”

In the final match of the round on Sunday afternoon at Glennon Park, the Nerang Eagles recorded their first win of 2020 with a 4-1 victory over 2019 champions Burleigh Heads.