Optimism remains despite Gold Coast United’s heartbreaking loss to 2018 NPL winners Lions FC

AN 0-2 start to the campaign has done little to quell Gold Coast United’s optimism about the journey ahead as their focus turns to repeating one of their pre-season conquests.

AN 0-2 start to the campaign has done little to quell Gold Coast United’s optimism about the journey ahead as their focus turns to repeating one of their pre-season conquests.

Seemingly headed for their first point of the season in Saturday night’s showdown with 2018 double winners Lions, United hearts were broken as a scrambled 89th minute goal from Marek Madle sealed a 1-0 win for the visitors.

Playing at their new Coplick Family Sports Park home for the first time, the Surfsiders appeared to have learnt from the defensive errors that consigned them to a 3-2 loss to Moreton Bay in Round 1.

BIG Q&A WITH UNITED COACH KRISTIAN REES

That was until a failed clearance from a long throw allowed Madle to pounce and restore order for the Lions after falling to Peninsula Power in their season opener.

But despite the disappointment, United coach Kristian Rees said there was a lot to like ahead of Saturday’s trip to Easts, a side they trounced 5-0 to claim the Logan Inter City Cup last month.

Lions’ Keegan Jelacic takes a shot as United’s Michael Thwaite looks on. Picture: Steve Holland

“We had a plan, we stuck to it, it went well and in the end it’s a long throw and a scuffle that we get undone by,” Rees said post-match.

“It’s disappointing, the boys are gutted to concede a goal in that way but again there are positive signs. It’s good to know that if they’re the champions then we’re going in the right direction.”

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With both sides desperate to make amends for Round 1 results, it was an evenly-fought contest lacking many clear-cut chances.

But the Lions’ late goal would have delivered a sense of déjà vu for United, who fell 3-2 following an injury-time goal when the teams met at Richlands last season.

The Surfsiders’ clash with Easts, who beat Sunshine Coast 3-1 in Round 1 before falling to Peninsula Power 3-2, kicks off at 7pm at Coorparoo’s Heath Park.