Cairns silences Thunder in tight tussle
South Queensland Thunder show great form but unable to secure key victory.
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FOOTBALL: The South West Queensland Thunder are at a loss to explain their recent results.
The senior men's side is playing some of its best football but their results suggest otherwise.
The NPL team suffered another loss at the weekend, a 2-1 defeat to Cairns, but assistant team manager Kris Hemmerling said the players remained positive.
"Obviously they were very disappointed with the loss to Cairns,” Hemmerling said.
"But on the other hand I think they are very aware of how well they performed for no result.
"I think it's one of the best games we've had this season - we dominated the match.
"At one point we had taken 15 shots to their two.
"We hit the crossbar, went over the top and wide and their keeper made some good saves.
"The unfortunate thing is they scored with both their shots.”
Striker Chris Hatfield found the back of the net for the Thunder - capitalising on a phase of play that typified his side's recent evolution.
"We are definitely a lot more confident playing out of the back,” Hemmerling said.
"Chris was given the ball with a bit of space in the centre of the field and scored.
"It's something we've been working a lot harder on lately - keeping possession and building our attack.”
Hatfield's goal in the 73rd minute heaped the pressure on Cairns but the Thunder were unable to secure an equaliser.
"I think when it clicks - it will click big time for us,” Hemmerling said.
"We just need that bit of luck - something that falls our way instead of the opposition's.
"Once we get that win I think we will really go on with it.”
Hemmerling said the whole Thunder team put in a good shift in North Queensland but he did single out one of the side's younger players.
"Young Daniel Webber had a good game in an attacking role for us,” he said.
"He looked sharp. I think the whole team were excellent though.”
Unable to bridge gap
The Thunder women suffered a heavy defeat in Brisbane at the weekend.
Facing third placed The Gap, the women's side lost 10-1.
Elise Wyill scored the Thunder's lone goal in the second half after they trailed 4-0 at the break.
Originally published as Cairns silences Thunder in tight tussle
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