THREE goals in as many minutes lifted Marlin Coast to a spectacular 4-2 FNQ Football youth division victory over premiership frontrunners Redlynch on
Saturday.
After fighting its way to a 2-1 lead at halftime through goals to Damien Woodcock and Rhys Hole, Redlynch could barely have envisaged what waited in the second half.
Marlin Coast equalised through Steven Dunn in the 63rd minute, adding to Leo Guthrie’s first-half goal, and then surged to the lead two minutes later when Bronson Koppen drilled a well-directed shot off a corner.
Pictures: Cairns Junior Soccer
Before Redlynch could recover, the Rangers posted their fourth goal when David Di Lucchio provided the finish to smart Josh De Nittis lead-up work.
The scoreline was unfortunate for Redlynch goalkeeper Stephen Billiau who, along with his opposite Oliver Mabbutt, was in excellent touch.
In the ladies premiership, heavyweights Leichhardt and Innisfail fought out a 0-0 draw at Leichhardt on Friday night.
Innisfail boss Steve Berryman considered his team’s effort to contain the Lions as its best of the season.
"(Leichhardt) are the team to beat. They don’t have many weaknesses if at all but it was our girls’ strongest effort in a long time," he said. "We’re (also) a team which hasn’t got any weaknesses when we can put our best team on the park."
Berryman said recruits such as state representative softballer Kayla Turner had bolstered the side.
Leichhardt coach Ken Bosence said his side had frittered away several chances to score.
"We should’ve been up three or 4-0 at halftime and I think that took some steam out of our girls’ confidence and Innisfail capitalised on that in the second half," he said. "But I have to give Innisfail credit, they played three games in eight days and were very persistent."
Bosence said Lions goalkeeper Kellie Spilstead was his best player on the night, making several vital saves in the second half.
