The North Queensland Fury have finally put their bad luck to bed with a promising 2 – 1 victory over a disjointed Gold Coast United at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ufuk Talay bent home a stupendous free kick in wet conditions to put the Fury in the lead in what was largely an entertaining match, regrettably, not many people were on hand to witness the strike.
Unfortunately, the wet and miserable conditions kept the fickle Gold Coast fans at home. For the record, only 1714 people fronted to see the Fury come from behind to snare an unlikely victory against their favoured rivals.
Disappointing, but amazingly, this is not the lowest A-league crowd on record.
The Fury are now peeking through from the bottom of the ladder, had it not been for Sydney FC’s 3 – 1 victory earlier in the evening, Franz Straka’s men would have more to show for their troubles.
The depleted Gold Coast were missing 8 of their regular starters to either injury or suspension, but still managed to open the scoring through Robson in the 10th minute after a free kick was deflected off the Fury wall and sent soaring past keeper, Justin Pasfield.
Although the Gold Coast started the game with better odds, the Fury controlled the majority of possession throughout the first half.
The Fury should have had their first after a regulation put in from Dyron Daal was disallowed after a confusing offside call.
The Fury continued to pepper fill-in Gold Coast keeper Jerrad Tyson.
Their persistence almost came to fruition after a half volley from Gareth Edds forced Tyson into full stretch to deflect the strike.
Only 20 seconds later, Tyson was forced to back peddle as a David Williams line drive began to drop over the keeper’s outstretched hand only to be guided in by the cross bar.
Although the Fury appeared to be in control for the majority of the contest, the damp conditions looked like having a major effect on the goal scoring ability of both sides until the strike from Talay.
The jubilant Fury left the field in high spirits after playing one of the A-leagues most disappointing fixtures in terms of gate attendance.
Both of North Queensland’s goals were of high standard, which is something we’ve seen glimpses of throughout season, however, injuries, suspensions and erratic form have overshadowed their ability.
They now return home to face the in form Newcastle Jets, in what will be a litmus test for both sides heading into the tail end of the season.
The Gold Coast remain one of the serious threats in this years A-league, however, a loss tonight put hold on their challenge for Adelaide’s second place spot on the ladder.
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