BOUTSIANIS THE WIZARD AS BURLEIGH DOWN MAGIC

Magic Utd 0

Burleigh Heads 3 (W. Bryett [og], Grierson, Boutsianis)

HT 0:2

BURLEIGH Heads coach Col Phelan hailed the contribution of former NSL star Con Boutsianis after his magician-like performance engineered Magic United’s downfall in an entertaining clash at Carrara Stadium.

The top-of-the-table encounter finished 3-0 to Phelan’s men who rode their luck in the first half but turned on the style in the second.

Boutsianis was at the heart of most of Burleigh’s attacking play and Phelan said his artistry and work ethic should be admired by the Gold Coast football community.

“At this level or any level of football in Australian I doubt if there’s anyone with a better left foot than Boutsy. His technique is so pure and every time he gets the ball he’s going to hurt teams.

“He’s phenomenal with his skill but his work-rate is top drawer as well. His attitude at training and in games is first class. He sets his own standards and every time he puts his boots on he lives up to them,” Phelan said.

After tamely going down 4-2 to the Gold Coast Knights last weekend, Brett Budwee’s Magic side responded in the right manner and opened the game with a cut and thrust approach that unsettled their illustrious visitors.

They should have taken the lead after just ten minutes but Umut Ozduzenciler’s heavy first touch when unmarked in the box allowed the Burleigh Heads defence to clear their lines.

The same player did much better with his next attempt soon afterwards when his close range strike forced a good save from Kane Swift in the Burleigh Heads goal.

Magic had Burleigh on the back foot for the opening quarter hour and were to rue their missed chances when against the run of play Phelan’s men took a 17^th minute lead.

Boutsianis was the architect with a wicked left-footed free kick from the right flank that zipped into the box and struck unlucky Magic defender Wes Bryett before finding the net.

The goal both settled and lifted the visitors who went on to create more chances before Peter Grierson doubled their lead two minutes before the half-time whistle.

Grierson had earlier missed a glorious chance but made no mistake this time when given far too much room in the penalty area.

Just prior, Magic made strong claims for a penalty when Jarrod Edwards was wrestled to the floor but their cries of derision fell on deaf ears as the referee waved play-on.

Magic must have been wondering where it all went wrong in the first 45 minutes with their gritty and determined display perhaps deserving more reward.

Col Phelan admitted after the match that he blasted his players at the break and his pep talk worked wonders as Burleigh took control of the second period.

Boutsianis was a constant danger with every corner, free-kick and cross causing havoc in the Magic rearguard as Burleigh showed their title credentials.

Minutes later Boutsianis almost added to his tally with a superb blind-side run behind enemy lines but watched in frustration as his thunderbolt of a shot rattled the crossbar.

The 3-0 scoreline was a touch cruel on Magic who worked tirelessly throughout and contributed much to what was a first class game. Coach Brett Budwee, while disappointed to see his side record their second consecutive loss, praised his troops for their approach to the game.

“We needed to take our early opportunities but I’m pleased with the effort of my players. We didn’t disgrace ourselves and even at the end of the game we still worked hard and tried to play football.

“We didn’t get the three points today but we’re still where we need to be on the ladder to be in the top four battle,” Budwee said.