Spirit ready for Cougars
Friday, 07 August 2009
With just two games to go, Bundaberg Spirit are fast running out of chances to post their first win of the season, and their best chance will be when they take on Capricorn Cougars in Rockhampton tomorrow night.
Coach Brett Hambrecht, who has maintained his faith in and commitment to the side through thick and thin, is also “pretty confident’’ they can do it.
A depleted Spirit were far from disgraced in a 6-0 home loss to Brisbane Strikers last weekend, and they will welcome back quality keeper Daniel Watson and uncompromising defender Sam Porch from illness.
However, Queensland Schools representatives Arian Dubroy and Matt Timbrell will again be missing because they will not return from the nationals in
Western Australia until tomorrow.
Hambrecht expects to travel with a squad of 13 players with Porch’s elder brother Joel, who has filled in superbly in their last two matches, to again suit up, along with rookie Hayden Lobegeier, who made an impressive State League debut against the Strikers.
The Spirit rounded off their preparation with a training game against local Premier league side Across The Waves last night, and Hambrecht was pleased with the hit-out.
“We were winning 5-0 at half-time, but the result didn’t matter – we were carrying three injuries and we finished with nine players – it was a good opportunity and a good hit-out – they were a bit down on game time as well,’’ Hambrecht said.
“I think we can win but we will try and get through this game with all on deck for Logan United at home again next Saturday.’’
Tomorrow’s game is considered as a local derby, and the Spirit had the better of the battle against Capricorn last year, recording a win and a draw.
But the Cougars claimed bragging rights by defeating the Spirit 3-1 when the two sides last met in Bundaberg on 16th May.
Still, this return bout is one which Hambrecht has always targeted for a win, and if they can continue their good performances, they look to be in with a genuine chance.
“We were a bit low on numbers on Tuesday night but we had 12 there last night and it was a good training session,’’ Hambrecht said.
“We will go up there and keep doing what we have been doing and play some good footy, support each other on and off the ball, tighten up our defence and create a bit more in attack, and we can certainly come home with a win.’’
Vince Habermann
Vince Habermann
