Evans Returns To QLD With Edgeworth
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Jamie Wicks
Queensland football fans may notice a familiar face lining up for Edgeworth Eagles against Moreton Bay United on Saturday night - defender Josh Evans.
Prior to moving to south of the border, Evans played for a host of Queensland clubs including current PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland side Brisbane Strikers as well as North Queensland Razorbacks, Souths United and Taringa Rovers.
This weekend he lines up for the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern New South Wales Premiers and Champions against Moreton Bay United in a PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane.
Despite the Eagle’s proving the stand-out team in the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern New South Wales 2015 season, Evans said he and his teammates are under no illusions at the difficulty of the task awaiting them in the Queensland capital on Saturday night.
“I’ve heard Moreton Bay have only been in the league for three years and they’ve done the double this year so they must have some young talent,” Evans said.
“After seeing Brisbane Strikers play in the FFA Cup and then for Moreton Bay to take them out in the Grand Final, then they must be a really good side.”
As Eagles’ centre-half, Evans will call on his previous experience in the Sunshine State to shut-down Jets leading goal scorer and former Hyundai A-League star Royce Brownlie.
“I played with Royce back in the day at Strikers and he’s a quality player,” Evans explained.
“He’s A-League quality and a smart player, so I have to give him respect because I think I will be marking him.”
“I know he’s quite mobile for a big guy but if I do the simple things right like stay on my feet I should hopefully go okay.”
Despite acknowledging his opponents’ quality, Evans was quick to add that he and his teammates remain confident they can match it with the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiers.
The Eagles are undefeated in their past seven PlayStation 4 NPL Northern New South Wales matches - including a last start 2-0 win over Hamilton Olympic in the Grand Final.
“We’ve been riding a wave of success. The team as a whole going into this clash are pretty confident,” Evans explained.
“A lot of the young guys in the team don’t really care who they are playing they just take what comes.”
Evans said Northern New South Wales clubs have proven in the Westfield FFA Cup they can test anyone - epitomised by the Eagles’ battling 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hyundai A-League powerhouse Melbourne City in this year’s competition.
“The NPL Finals are a great opportunity and it’s only a matter of time before one of the teams in Northern New South Wales do step up and have a good run.”
“From what I’ve seen some of the young talents coming through is definitely going to fulfil some of those fairytale runs in the future,” Evans concluded.
QUICK GUIDE TO EDGEWORTH EAGLES FC:
HISTORY
Originally called Young Wallsend. The first glory days for the club came in 1978 and they have had a number of English imports including Jimmy McBreen - father of former Central Coast Mariners forward Daniel McBreen.
After dropping to the second division in the early 1980s due to financial difficulties, the club gained promotion in 1989 and have been in the top division ever since.
HONOURS
Premiers - 1978, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2015
Champions - 1978, 2003, 2010, 2015
SEASON RECORD (excluding finals)
Played - 18 (13W, 1D, 4L)
Goal difference - +17 (39 For, 22 Against)
Points - 40
KEY RESULTS
Round 12 – defeated Hamilton Olympic 3-1
A brace from Ayden Brice and further goal to Brody Taylor guided Eagles past the then league-leaders, moving Eagles top of the table - a position they would not surrender until the final round of the season.
Round 18 – defeated Weston Workers 3-1
Eagles started the final round in top spot, however Lambton Jaffa's edged ahead with victory a day earlier. Second half goals to Dylan Holz and Bren Hammel guided Eagles to victory to seal the Premiership.
Match Details:
PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars vs Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday, 19 September
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Brisbane
Kick-off at 4:30PM
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Edgeworth Eagles FC
Saturday, 19 September 2015
QSAC, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM
Gates Open at 3:30PM
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Concesssion, Under 5's FREE, FFA Registered Players Under 16 FREE
Both matches will be LIVE streamed at www.nplqld.com.au
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