Words: Steve Pitman & Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans says his side are ready to handle another test of their title credentials against defending Champions Moreton Bay United this weekend.

A win for Strikers will see the club maintain the pressure on league-leaders FNQ Heat following a thrilling 3-2 win over fellow finals contenders Gold Coast City in their last start.

A’herne-Evans identified squad depth and competition for places as a key to his side’s push to win their maiden PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland silverware.

“The beauty of it is I’ve got a fully fit squad and players pushing for starting spots, where a lot of other teams have settled in with ten or eleven players and are relying on fringe players,” A’herne-Evans explained.

“We are still very strong, with sixteen or seventeen men, and I’m still having difficulty choosing a squad because we know we have to make some hard decisions in leaving some players out of the match day team.

“From a coach’s perspective it’s ideal. There’s a lot of players in form, the team is in form, we look strong defensively and we look strong going forward, so there’s a lot to be positive about.”

The result over City saw Strikers twice fight-back from a goal down and A’herne-Evans cited his side’s resolve in those circumstances as encouraging.

“The most pleasing thing we took out of last weekend was that resilience and stubbornness to make sure that we came off that field with three points,” he said.

“We’d gone so long without conceding goals and everyone had been saying it – and even we’d been saying it – it will be interesting to see how we respond when we do, especially if it’s the first goal of the game.”

“But the players didn’t panic. It was a superb response to going behind twice and it’s important that we take that mindset into every game from here on in.”

A’herne-Evans added that he is expected another tough contest against Jets this weekend, who defeated Strikers in last year’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final.

Jets dispelled recent doubts about their title defence with a 6-2 thumping of Redlands United last round – which saw a hat-trick for star striker Royce Brownlie.

“They are back to playing around Royce and his strengths,” A’Herne-Evans identified of this week’s opponents.

“It’s getting the ball into areas where he can attack the ball and either score or create opportunities for other people.”

“Jackson Hall was getting his delivery, and Jordan Farina – and we all know how nice a right foot he possesses in the box - and then you’ve got good midfielders like Mathew Capelo, Jonathon Marraiya and Alex Janovski, who are all dangerous in and around the box.”

“They are a solid, solid team,” he concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 15

Brisbane Strikers FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Saturday, June 25 | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane