United look to Halt Roar Run
Joy Forsyth will be looking to continue her strong form in the rescheduled Rd20 match tonight / Sportspics Photography
A final ‘home’ game tonight for Gold Coast United at the Logan Metro Sports Complex in what looms as a real test against one of the form teams of the NPLW competition, the highly skillful Brisbane Roar NTC squad.
United will be looking for their fourth consecutive win and to reverse the last meeting between the Clubs which saw Roar prevail 2-0 at Lex Bell Oval back in March.
The young Roar squad are chasing their 13th win on the trot, an undefeated run that stretches back to the 20th of April and includes a comprehensive 6-1 defeat of the Wanderers on Tuesday night in Buderim, another catch up game.
Gold Coast have enjoyed a great back end of season 2018 themselves, six wins in their last eight outings including victories over two top four sides – a real credit to a young squad impacted by some high profile departures and long term injuries. The experienced players have led the way and the younger playing group has lifted as well, something that pleases Head Coach Michael Cook who continues his philosophy of offering opportunities to youngsters.
That trend continues tonight with Cook adding some U17’s to his bench. Chloe Burns and Amy Langworthy make their first appearances in the senior Women’s squad – congratulations ladies.
Chloe Burns (l) & Amy Langworthy (r) celebrate a goal against Souths in the U17’s (Angela Mussell)
There’ll be some interested NPLW fans following this one from the Northern Suburbs, the Roar NTC and Moreton Bay are locked in a ‘ding dong battle’ for fourth spot and a place in the 2018 finals series. Both Clubs are currently on equal points, the Roar NTC are in the box seat however with two games in hand on the Jets, one being tonight’s catch-up fixture.
A win for United would breathe some new life into the ‘fight for fourth’ and also see them jump Mitchelton into sixth spot on the ladder with only two more games remaining for season 2018. A short turnaround for Cook’s squad after this one, a trip to Logan on Saturday night and a visit to the Sunshine Coast the weekend after for the final game of 2018 against the Wanderers.
Kick-off at the Sports Complex is at 7.15pm tonight.
Would be great to get some United support along to cheer on the ladies in their last official ‘home’ game for 2018.