LAST KICK WINS IT FOR NERANG

Nerang 2 (I. Kebblewhite, S, Green)

Magic Utd 1 (U. Ozduzenciler)

HT 1:1

“SOMETIMES you get the luck, sometimes you don’t.” That was Magic United coach Brett Budwee’s summation of his side’s 2-1 loss to Nerang after a last-gasp sucker punch condemned his team to their third consecutive defeat.

Virtually the last kick of the match decided it for Nerang when Steven Green’s mis-hit cross took flight on the wind and sailed over Magic goalkeeper Luke Muir, gifting all three points to the home side.

“It was probably the worst finish to a game I’ve ever been involved in,” said a demoralised Budwee.

“I was shattered. We’re creating opportunities and by not taking them we are putting ourselves under pressure for the rest of the game,” he said.

It could, and perhaps should, have been much different for Magic. Umut Ozduzenciler’s 20th minute opener gave them a bright start but a series of second half chances went begging.

Nerang levelled late in the first half after some neat build up play found Ian Kebblewhite just inside the penalty area and his sweet left-footed strike ripped into the net.    

The arm wrestle continued into the second period and despite both sides believing they could take home the win, the match appeared to be heading for a draw. But, with the referee poised to blow for full-time up popped Green with his dramatic and fortuitous late winner.

“Better late than never,” said Nerang team manager Bob Jeffrey.

“It was a bit of a speculator but I’ve seen plenty of them go in. We always felt we could win it but it could’ve gone either way. It was a handy win for us all the same,” he added.