BUNDABERG Toyota Spirit will be without dynamic midfield Laurie Stephenson, robust defender Lucas Read and the also fiercely competitive Cory Haack for their Hyundai State League duel with Far North Queensland Bulls in Mareeba tomorrow night.
But with Central Coast Mariners recruit Nick Fitzgerald to drop back into the midfield to fill Stephenson’s big shoes and partner captain Brett Kitching, Tom Kimber, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Thursday, returning from suspension to take Read’s place in the back line, and Mathew Mills to cover for Haack after being unavailable last week for family reasons, coach Richard Mitchell believes they can claim another big scalp after they coming of age with a 2-1 home victory over third placed North Queensland Razorbacks last Saturday.
Elliot Causer, who came on as a late replacement before playing a major goal in the equaliser against the Razorbacks, before Fitzgerald slotted the winner, will start up front this week in tandem with Shane Youngberry, with Aaron Bakker and Youth team duo Jack Hambrecht and Josh Metcalf to warm the bench.
“It’s still a very decent side. Shane has been in great form and Elliot can also do some damage, and ‘Jamie Oliver’ (Fitzgerald) and Kitchy will combine well – Jamie may see a wee bit more in front of him than when he’s playing up front although he will still have to get up there,’’ Mitchell said.
“Tom has done all right and he’s a man now, and it’s an opportunity for him to cement his place in the side, and I’m confident the boys we have brought in will do a good job.’’
The Bulls sit comfortably in fourth position on the ladder, but their recent form has not been flash after succumbing to Sunshine Coast Fire 4-1 last Saturday, following on a skinny 1-0 victory over Whitsunday Miners, a 4-4 draw with Brisbane Strikers and a 3-2 loss to Capricorn Cougars.
They have defeated the Spirit in their two clashes so far this season, 2-1 at home on 3rd April, and 5-2 in Bundaberg on 22nd May when they came back from a 2-0 deficit late in the first half, but the Spirit are an infinitely different side now with two wins and two draws, including against the Fire, from their past five starts after ending a 32-match drought following the recruitment of Fitzgerald and fellow National Youth League stars Adam Ormsby and Ray Miller.
David Ruiz and Josiah Rusch, who each bagged doubles for the Bulls in their great escape last time against the Spirit and who are currently second on the Golden Boot standings with 12 goals and equal-third with 9 respectively, will again be danger men.
But Far North also leaks goals, having let in 33, with a goal difference of minus one, and they are the third worst defensive side in the League behind the Spirit (48) and QAS (36).
“They are an attacking side but we have also got some ammunition going forward and we also have to go in with an attacking mentality – they are one of the most, if not the most attacking minded side in the League and are a quite adventurous type of football team, and they are well organised and well coached by Peter Tokesi, but last time against them, we showed that they can concede goals,’’ Mitchell said.
“It is a tough game and a big travel for us, and it is important that we have a good start, and we have to make sure we’re not still on the plane at kick-off, but if we apply ourselves and play like we did in the second half last week, we can do it.’’
The two captains, Kitching and Victor Madrid, who are in equal-third position on the MVP Points Tally, are certain to have big impacts on the game.
“But we can’t rely on our stars – we’ve all got to pull on the rope together – if two or three are below-par, it’s going to be even tougher, and we have to go and do this as a team,’’ Mitchell said.
Meanwhile, the Spirit’s Youth team will head south to
