The points were shared at Meakin Park over the weekend when the Queensland Academy of Sport met the Whitsunday Miners in Round One of the 2011 Hyundai Queensland State League.
The QAS had the first opportunity to open the scoring when a quick counter allowed attacker Brandon Borrello to break down the right wing before cutting into the box to drive a low shot towards goal but Brad Moss, as he would prove numerous times throughout the game, was ready to claim the ball.
The Miners’ continued to apply pressure from the resulting corner and this time made their opportunity count when Mundy put his height to use and headed the ball to goal where a waiting Jamie White was waiting to pounce on the loose ball and guide it home.
Spurred on by the goal, the visitors surged forward from the restart and almost found themselves two goals in front when Jamie White again found himself with just QAS ‘keeper Matt Acton to beat, but Acton was ready and blocked the shot.
Keen to head into the break on even terms, QAS countered with numerous breaks down the wing which forced a corner for the home side.
The corner was delivered to the penalty spot and an advancing Miners’ ‘keeper Brad Moss was unable to make contact with the ball in a crowded goal mouth.
With the chance to clear the ball missed, QAS attacker Elliott Ronto latched onto the loose ball and slotted home QAS’ first goal of the 2011 season.
The battle for supremacy continued in the second half with both teams struggling to convert chances, and the sides couldn’t be divided with the QAS and Miners sharing the points.
QAS Coach Darren Davies was positive about his young side’s start to the season and feels there is plenty of potential for a successful season.
“I thought that we performed relatively well considering our preparation with a few of the boys away all week with the Brisbane Roar in preparation for the (A-League) Grand Final tomorrow. The boys even trained this morning for the Roar so today has been a big day but they did well.
“There’s massive plus points for us to look at. Yes we are disappointed not to have won the game because we had the chances to win but by the same token, we also could have lost the game and I think it could have gone either way so really it was a fair result for both teams,” he said.
“But from my point of view there were some very positive things we can take from the game for the coming season”.
Next weekend the QAS face the Brisbane Strikers in what is sure to be an exciting match with the QAS searching for a win and the Strikers keen to put their 1-0 loss to Sunshine Coast FC behind them.
The game will kick of this Saturday, 19th March at 7:00pm at Perry Park, Albion.
In round one of the Youth League, the QAS U/19’s also recorded a 1-1 draw when they played Logan Strikers.
The Strikers went ahead courtesy of Chris Fisher but QAS found a reply through Peter Roditis.
Next weekend the Youth side will take on Brisbane Strikers in a curtain raiser to the senior game, kicking off at 4:45pm at Perry Park, Albion.
