Words & Image: Brisbane Strikers

Brisbane Strikers are looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions in this Saturday’s Brisbane derby against Brisbane City at Spencer Park.

With the race for finals spots intensifying, Strikers are aware a win against their capital city rivals will prove vital in a tight race for a top four finish.

Strikers drew 2-2 with Northern Fury at home last weekend, and Strikers coach Chay Hews said he was willing to shoulder some of the responsibility for the missed points.

“To be honest, I think I can put my hand up and say we probably got it slightly wrong tactically”, Hews said.

“The boys went out and did what we wanted. But I think Fury probably surprised us a little bit and I can easily say that we didn’t hit the nail on the head with what we were looking at tactically.

“I guess after the game I was disappointed, but it was more so for the boys. We’ve got some good results lately and we really wanted to continue it on. But at the end of the day a draw was good for us, coming back from 2-1 down”.

Hews said that recent injuries to key centre halves David Salin and Jason Shade, and midfielder Jack Bladen’s return to Adelaide United’s youth squad had been difficult to cover. However, added that he was happy with the returns of promoted youth players Kalen Fisher-Smith and Josh Anderson, as well as Rochedale Rovers recruit Andy Thompson.

“Thommo’s been great over the last couple of weeks. He’s only a young boy but he’s been really solid for us. He played against Olympic and he did a great job against Danny Byrne, which is no easy feat”, Hews said.

“Both Kalen and Josh have been working really hard. It’s been tough for them, especially Josh because we’ve got a lot of good players in his position and it’s been really tough for him to get a run, but I thought he did exceptionally well on the weekend when he came on.”

Strikers also added more experience to the squad with the addition of former Redlands United captain Cameron Draper to the squad. Hews said Draper would come into consideration for selection for the City fixture.

City delivered league-leaders Palm Beach Sharks their first loss of the campaign last weekend, marking three straight wins for last year’s Grand Finalists after an up-and-down season.

Hews said of his opponents, “I’m not sure why they weren’t getting good results (previously), I think they’ve got quite a solid team.”

“I don’t know what they’ve had in terms of injuries or player problems – something’s not gelled for them early on, but I think it seems to be turning for them now.”

Saturday’s kick-off at Spencer Park is scheduled 6:00pm, with the main game preceded by the two clubs’ Youth and Under-18s sides.