Southport coach Steve Clark says troops can must Coast League title tilt, despite Premier League pain

SOUTHPORT coach Steve Clark insists the Warriors can bounce back from their Premier League heartache to muster a Coast League One finals assault.

SOUTHPORT coach Steve Clark insists the Warriors can bounce back from their Premier League heartache to muster a Coast League One finals assault.

Desperate to return to the top flight for the first time since 2012, Southport’s fairytale run came to an end on Saturday night with a 5-2 extra-time loss to Mudgeeraba in the Premier League playoff at Ashmore Village Park.

The hosts, who finished third in Coast League One, had shown courage to force the game into extra time after fighting back from a 2-0 halftime deficit.

‘I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF THERE WAS AN UPSET’

However, with captain Cian Cuba instrumental, the Wallabies overcame the late dismissal of Joshua Aiken and Ryan Collins to ensure their Premier League survival.

Southport must now pick themselves up for Saturday’s knockout Coast League final at home to Kingscliff, but Clark is adamant it will not be an issue.

The bigger problem, he said, would be fielding a competitive side following injuries to Richard Clark and Justin Barwick.

“I’ve probably got about three players out next week so that’s where I’m going to find it difficult. I think we’ll bounce back once we get on the park again and there’s another goal to try and salvage something out of the season,” Clark said.

“We were all very devastated because of the result (but) I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved so far. I don’t think the score was any indication of the game, it blew out in the end because we obviously tried to push forward.

COACH WEIGHS FUTURE AFTER RELEGATION

“We gave it a good crack this year, I thought we were very unlucky not to get there (to promotion). We’re disappointed because we think we deserve to be there but the goal is still the same, it’s just going to take another year to do it.”

Cuba admitted the Wallabies may have come out “a little bit cocky” in the second half after leading 2-0 but said he was proud of their ability to dig deep.