Hayden Sumner the finals x-factor for Surfers Paradise after netting winner in Burleigh Heads defeat

HE has spent much of the Gold Coast Premier League season on the sidelines but Hayden Sumner is looming as Surfers Paradise’s finals x-factor after putting Apollo through to their first grand final since 2016.

HE has spent much of the Gold Coast Premier League season on the sidelines but Hayden Sumner is looming as Surfers Paradise’s finals x-factor after putting Apollo through to their first grand final since 2016.

Sidelined for more than two months with a groin injury, Sumner continued his comeback with a matchwinning goal against former club Burleigh Heads in Saturday’s 2-1 major semi final victory.

Coming on as a second-half substitute, the classy striker found the net inside the final five minutes after Burleigh had equalised through David Mutch moments earlier.

WARRIORS SEAL SHOT AT COAST LEAGUE SUPREMACY

With a spot in the September 14 grand final now secure, Surfers coach Alex Morrison said Sumner’s ongoing presence would be vital to support frontman Teddy Watson, who netted a first-half penalty.

“Hayden’s been injured for two months with a bad groin injury and this is his first game back – he played a little bit against Coomera (in the final round) – so for him to do that for us (was amazing,” Morrison said.

Surfers Paradise’s Teddy Watson in action against Burleigh Heads yesterday. Picture: Richard Gosling

“The first half we did really well, created a couple of chances and I actually thought it may could’ve been 2-0 at halftime. I thought we played really well.

“The second half we dug in with a 1-0 lead but (Burleigh) being the good team they are, they got their goal to go 1-1. I always felt … even going into extra time we still had goals in us.

KNIGHTS’ NEXT MISSION TO SHUT OFF POWER

“I was confident going into the last five minutes, (Burleigh) were playing a high line and we were getting in behind them quite a bit so I always felt we could get another goal.”

Defeat for newly-crowned champions Burleigh will bring back memories of the 2018, when they led the league for most of the season before stumbling into the finals and crashing out in the first week.

Hayden Sumner playing for Burleigh in 2017. Picture: Jerad Williams

However, with a second shot at the grand final looming against Coomera in next Saturday’s preliminary final, coach Colin Phelan said all was not lost.

“To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. It’s about winning the league but now we’re in this position we want to win everything,” he said.

FIVE STARS TO SHAPE THE FINALS

“At 1-1 (against Surfers) I thought we were in there. We’ll have a go next week, we’re not leaving nothing in the (change rooms).

“It’s who dares wins now. We’ll either win 3-0 or we’ll get beat 3-0.”

Coomera kept their season alive after beating Broadbeach United 2-1 in extra time at Nikiforides Family Park this afternoon.