Strikers Braced For 'Big Hitters'
Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Andrew Shaw/Visible Focus Photography
Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’Herne-Evans is billing Saturday night’s clash with Brisbane Roar Youth as the start of “the most difficult block of games” of the season.
Strikers sit second on the ladder at the halfway point of the season, trailing league-leaders FNQ Heat by four points.
Their title credentials will be tested over the next four weeks as matches against Redlands United, Gold Coast City and Moreton Bay United follow this weekend’s encounter.
“It’s imperative we make sure that when we come out of this next cluster of four or five games against the big hitters we are within touching distance of Heat,” A’Herne-Evans said.
“We are coming into the most difficult block of games. These are the ones in particular where we (will be unable to) control the games as much as we’d like.”
Despite Young Roar enduring an inconsistent season so far, A’Herne-Evans is clear about the danger they pose at Perry Park.
“As crazy as it sounds when you look at the league table, I still think that Roar are the best team we’ve played,” he said.
“In my opinion they play the best football in the competition – and rightly so, with the badge that they wear on a weekly basis.”
His respect for Saturday night’s opponents aside, A’Herne-Evans is confident in his team’s chances of winning a game that is tipped to be a treat for football purists.
“We play some terrific football, we score a lot of goals ourselves, we keep clean sheets and we like to go out and dominate games so in terms of a football spectacle I can’t wait for Saturday,” the former Cardiff City man said.
“I think it will be one of the best games of the season.”
Strikers expect to welcome back top scorer Rhys Meredith from a hamstring niggle, while winger Jonti Richter is steadily gaining match fitness after returning from last year’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 12
Saturday, 28 May
Brisbane Strikers FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Perry Park, Brisbane
Kick-off at 6:00PM
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