Experienced playmaker Byron Hassall is confident his CQFC Energy side will step up to the challenge this National Premier Leagues Queensland season after another positive pre-season outing on the weekend.

In a wet clash at CQUniversity on Saturday night, the Energy drew 1-1 with Gladstone’s Clinton.

Hassall said the Energy should have won the match against a side which has been the dominant force in Central Queensland’s Premier League competition for the past eight years.

“The score line didn’t reflect the game,” Hassall said, “We dominated and really the score should have been bigger.”

Newcomer Innocent Taban scored for the Energy early in the game before a late equalizer for Clinton.

Hassall said the Clinton goal, from about 30 metres out, was unstoppable.

“One good strike from them got through, and that was it,” he said.

Hassall credited fellow players Jake Wilson and Jordan Miller for their on-field displays.

“There were good runs out wide from Jake Wilson and Jordan Miller, but it was really an overall team effort,” he said.

With six pre-season hit-outs now under their belt, Hassall said CQFC was looking strong.

“The team is looking really good, and we’re really coming together at the moment,” he said.

“We can control the game, the ball and the tempo, and we have key players in each part of the field.”

The Energy will line up against another CQ Premier League team Southside United on Saturday, before taking on Clinton again on February 22.

Words: Courtesy of The Morning Bulletin
Image: CQFC