Bundy to face Brisbane
Friday, 31 July 2009
The cavalry is back for Bundaberg Spirit for their clash with Brisbane Strikers at Martens Oval tomorrow night with captain and midfield general Brett Kitching, goal-keeper Daniel Watson, Shane Youngberry and Matt Doolan all set to return.
Coach Brett Hambrecht is also hoping that Mitch Broom will make his first appearance for over a month, but they will still need some guest players to field a full side and a bench with at least five of their squad unavailable for the match.
Mitch Hodgkinson has returned to Townsville to resume his university studies, Jason De Papi has succumbed to a knee injury, Arian Dubroy and Matt Timbrell are members of the Queensland team which is currently competing at the School Sport Australia Open Boys Championships in Western Australia, and Jason Loft is suspended.
Joel Porch is among the players that Hambrecht wants in the side after he stepped up from Bundaberg Reserve Grade side Moore Park to make the long road trip to Mareeba with them last week and step up to the plate as a patch-work side shocked Far North Queensland Bulls by establishing a 2-0 half-time lead before going down 5-2.
The Spirit were humbled by the Strikers 10-0 at Perry Park when they last met on 9th May, but after a string of good recent showings, Hambrecht wants to reclaim a bit of respect and compete strongly.
Hee concedes that they may need a miracle if they are to achieve their first win of the season against the second placed side which has scored more goals than any other team (59) and must win to keep their league championship hopes alive.
But so long as they can walk off with their heads held high, Hambrecht will be happy, and it would put them in good stead for their last two matches of the year, against Capricorn Cougars (away) and Logan United (home).
“I was not in charge when they beat us by 10 down there but we don’t want a repeat - they are all tough games but we have just got to compete,’’ Hambrecht said.
The coach is certain that the confidence gained by those players who defied the odds to really serve it up to the Bulls last Saturday night will hold them in good stead, including Mitch Hancock, who set up the late goal in their coming of age 1-1 draw with Queensland Academy of Sport at their last home game three weeks ago, then bagged a double against North Queensland Razorbacks in Townsville, and again found the back of the net against the Bulls.
“Mitch Hancock is on fire at the moment – he’s doing really well in the midfield but the rest are also going well - last week Elliot Causer started to create a bit more up front with Jack (Hambrecht) on the right-hand side, and Sam Porch and Sam Simpson were really strong in defence, along with newcomer Joel Porch in his first time in,’’ Hambrecht said.
“We just ran out of legs in the last 20 minutes, but that was understandable after the long trip and with so many players out.
“Hopefully those who didn’t travel really put their hands up and provide the stability we need.’’
Brisbane have lost just two matches for the season and they are coming off a 4-1 victory over Whitsunday Miners, but possibly the bigger danger for the Spirit is that the Strikers’ gun striker Gareth Musson is second on the Golden Boot with 16 goals, two behind leader Russell Woodruffe, of Redlands City Devils, and he will be hungry for a big haul to challenge for the title.
But Hambrecht is banking on another big home crowd to rally behind the Spirit and help lift them to new heights.
Mitch Hodgkinson has returned to Townsville to resume his university studies, Jason De Papi has succumbed to a knee injury, Arian Dubroy and Matt Timbrell are members of the Queensland team which is currently competing at the School Sport Australia Open Boys Championships in Western Australia, and Jason Loft is suspended.
Joel Porch is among the players that Hambrecht wants in the side after he stepped up from Bundaberg Reserve Grade side Moore Park to make the long road trip to Mareeba with them last week and step up to the plate as a patch-work side shocked Far North Queensland Bulls by establishing a 2-0 half-time lead before going down 5-2.
The Spirit were humbled by the Strikers 10-0 at Perry Park when they last met on 9th May, but after a string of good recent showings, Hambrecht wants to reclaim a bit of respect and compete strongly.
Hee concedes that they may need a miracle if they are to achieve their first win of the season against the second placed side which has scored more goals than any other team (59) and must win to keep their league championship hopes alive.
But so long as they can walk off with their heads held high, Hambrecht will be happy, and it would put them in good stead for their last two matches of the year, against Capricorn Cougars (away) and Logan United (home).
“I was not in charge when they beat us by 10 down there but we don’t want a repeat - they are all tough games but we have just got to compete,’’ Hambrecht said.
The coach is certain that the confidence gained by those players who defied the odds to really serve it up to the Bulls last Saturday night will hold them in good stead, including Mitch Hancock, who set up the late goal in their coming of age 1-1 draw with Queensland Academy of Sport at their last home game three weeks ago, then bagged a double against North Queensland Razorbacks in Townsville, and again found the back of the net against the Bulls.
“Mitch Hancock is on fire at the moment – he’s doing really well in the midfield but the rest are also going well - last week Elliot Causer started to create a bit more up front with Jack (Hambrecht) on the right-hand side, and Sam Porch and Sam Simpson were really strong in defence, along with newcomer Joel Porch in his first time in,’’ Hambrecht said.
“We just ran out of legs in the last 20 minutes, but that was understandable after the long trip and with so many players out.
“Hopefully those who didn’t travel really put their hands up and provide the stability we need.’’
Brisbane have lost just two matches for the season and they are coming off a 4-1 victory over Whitsunday Miners, but possibly the bigger danger for the Spirit is that the Strikers’ gun striker Gareth Musson is second on the Golden Boot with 16 goals, two behind leader Russell Woodruffe, of Redlands City Devils, and he will be hungry for a big haul to challenge for the title.
But Hambrecht is banking on another big home crowd to rally behind the Spirit and help lift them to new heights.
