BUFFALO SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 6 Preview

THE Buffalo Sports Premier League returns to the forefront of local soccer this weekend following last Saturday’s Dog & Parrot FA Cup action.

It will be a case of déjà vu for two sides though with Broadbeach Utd kicking off round six on Friday night when they host last week’s cup opponents, Musgrave.

After dumping them out of the FA Cup by three goals to two, United will fancy their chances against a Musgrave unit that failed to cope with United’s more physical, high-tempo approach to the game.

Cup success will provide a much-needed spark to Broadbeach’s season and Coach Simon Kalaba warned critics to write his side off at their peril.

Kalaba said: “I hope our FA Cup win will be a good springboard because we needed a confidence booster. It’s league points that we want now.

“As far as our league form goes; I think people have been writing us off a bit early as we have only played four games and I think that’s a bit harsh.

“We beat the Gold Coast Knights in our first game and they’ve gone on to prove what a strong side they are. We’re hoping to get on a bit of a roll now and the look of the Premier League ladder can change very quickly.”

Both sides will be missing key players with Broadbeach striker Masanori Uchimura and Musgrave’s Pat Cronin sidelined due to injury.

Uchimura is likely to be absent for another fortnight and Kalaba is looking forward to the return of his most potent attacking weapon. 

“As far as I’m concerned ‘Nori is the best striker in the league, hands down. He would make a massive difference to any team and he gives us so much energy and confidence,” Kalaba said.

League leaders Magic Utd will have their title credentials fully tested when they take on the free-scoring Gold Coast Knights at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday night.

The Knights have hit ten goals in their last two games and can draw level on points with Magic if they register another victory.

Over at Pizzey Park, Col Phelan’s Burleigh Heads will be strong favourites to inflict more pain on Nerang who exited the FA Cup at the hands of Palm Beach last week and have also lost their last two Premier League outings.

Surfers Paradise’s hopes of a first Premier League win of the season won’t receive much sympathy from Palm Beach when the two sides clash at Mallawa Drive on Saturday night. The Sharks returned to winning ways last week with an FA Cup victory courtesy of a late Sean Robinson goal and will be in no mood to drop more Premier League points. 

Sunday’s match of the round presents winless Coomera and hot-and-cold Mudgeeraba with a great opportunity to steal the points when the two sides go head to head at Sid Bigg Park.

Mudgeeraba have been victims of conceding quick-fire goals in their last two games and the emphasis for Marc Boelen’s team has to be on scoring the first goal this time around.

For Coomera, late capitulations have been an issue but they will know that Mudgeeraba’s current fragility gives them a great opportunity to capitalise and register their first victory of the campaign. 

ROUND 6 FIXTURES

Fri 16 May, 8.15pm: Broadbeach Utd v Musgrave - Broadbeach Oval, Chelsea Ave                  

Sat 17 May, 5.00pm: Burleigh Heads v Nerang - Pizzey Park, Bardon Ave, Miami       

Sat 17 May, 5.00pm: Gold Coast Knights v Magic Utd - Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara              

Sat 17 May, 5.00pm: Palm Beach v Surfers Paradise - Mallawa Drive, Palm Beach      

Sun 18 May, 4.00pm: Mudgeeraba v Coomera - Sid Bigg Park, Mudgeeraba

LADDER: Magic Utd 12, Musgrave 11, Burleigh Heads 9, Gold Coast Knights 9, Palm Beach 7, Nerang 4, Broadbeach Utd 4, Mudgeeraba 3, Coomera 2, Surfers Paradise 1.

PREMIER LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Broadbeach Utd – W L D L *

Burleigh Heads – W W * L W

Coomera – L L D D *

Gold Coast Knights – L W * W W

Magic United – W L W W W

Mudgeeraba – L L * W L

Musgrave – W W D D W

Palm Beach – W W * D L

Nerang – L W D L L

Surfers Paradise – L L L D L

* Denotes postponed match