Burleigh Heads put sluggish month behind them to beat Coomera 2-0 in Premier League preliminary final

FOR four weeks, Burleigh Heads had been searching for the form that had carried them to a runaway Gold Coast Premier League championship. Against Coomera on Saturday night, they found it.

FOR four weeks, Burleigh Heads had been searching for the form that had carried them to a runaway Gold Coast Premier League championship.

Against Coomera on Saturday night, they found it.

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Entering the preliminary final on the back of a 2-1 loss to Surfers Paradise in the major semi, the Bulldogs showed they had lost none of their bite as a Matt Hilton double sealed a 2-0 victory at Pizzey Park.

The result, which has set up a rematch with Surfers in Saturday night’s grand final, followed an inconsistent month in which they drew with the Colts, were lacklustre in a 2-0 win over Mudgeeraba and fell to Apollo.

CITY SAVOUR THAT WINNIE FEELING

Those games came after sealing the championship with three games to spare against Nerang on August 3, a situation coach Colin Phelan conceded may have played a part in their dip in form.

“Winning the league early doors, maybe we started dropping off a little bit but I thought (against Coomera) we were tip-top,” Phelan said.

Burleigh Heads striker Matt Hilton (left). Picture: East End Digital

“To be honest, I thought Coomera were good but we were better. I went and watched them (beat Broadbeach United 2-1 in extra time) last week and I learned from it.

“Where Broady went wrong was they set back in the second half to protect the 1-0 lead. We were never going to do that.

DIVINE INTERVENTION KEY TO CLUB’S FINALS TILT

“Like every time you play, the players have learnt. We’ve had two competitive games the last two weeks.

“We deserved (the win) tonight, I thought we were very good. It’ll be a good game (against Surfers).

“We will probably change the shape because I’ve got to do something different against them.”

Burleigh Heads coach Colin Phelan. Picture: East End Digital

Having surprised many with their finals charge and an FFA Cup Round of 32 berth, Coomera coach Steve Macdonald conceded his side was simply outplayed.

“I thought Burleigh deserved to win,” he said.

“I don’t want to be too negative but I just thought we were a little bit flat for some reason. We had a chance when we were 1-0 down and (if it was) 1-1 it’s a different game.

ALL NOT LOST IN SURPRISE BROADBEACH EXIT

“(But) it’s been an unbelievable season. I’m extremely disappointed we’ve got nothing to show for it. We haven’t got a medal or anything and I’m disappointed for the boys because I think they deserve something for what they’ve done this year.

“It’s been such a ride, it’s probably been my best year in football (in terms of) playing and coaching.”