Words: Staff Writers
Image: Brisbane Roar FC

Scoring goals is the order of business for Brisbane Roar Youth coach Josh McCloughan as his side prepare for this weekend’s clash at home to Northern Fury.

Young Roar have dominated much of the play in at least two of their three defeats this season but have been unable to take advantage on the scoreboard – including twice hitting the post against league-leaders FNQ Heat last round.

They are determined to alter that trend this weekend against as they seek a third win of the campaign against bottom-of-the-table Fury, who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

McCloughan said with build-up and defensive structures progressing, this week he had sought to impress the need to be more clinical in the final third.

"That (missing goal-scoring chances ) is something we, as a group, have spoken about," McCloughan explained.

"The football we are playing and where we are currently in the context of what we are doing, we probably have to say that we have let a few games slip away in which we should have taken something from."

McCloughan added that his squad has worked hard since coming together just a few months ago and he expects the rewards for that effort are close.

"When you bring a younger team together they take a little more time to gel than senior players," he said.

"As far as the structures and what we are putting in place, the boys are taking it all on board."

"But there's still a lot of hard work to be done to ensure we are in the right areas and the final ball is something that is positive and finishes off all the work we have done leading in."

Midfielder Nathan Konstandopoulos was among the Young Roar players who came close to scoring last weekend against Heat and has enjoyed the focus on finishing at training.

He believes it is only a matter of time before he and his teammates replicate a similar return to their record-breaking ten goal win over Adelaide United Youth during the summer’s Foxtel National Youth League.

"We are working hard in training on our structures and shape," Konstandopoulos said.

"We are just working through the thirds – the back third, the middle third and now we are working on our front third and really trying to create more goal-scoring opportunities.

"We are getting in the right areas but are just lacking that final product," he concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 8

Saturday, April 23
Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Northern Fury FC
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City
Kick-off at 5:00PM