MORLEY DOUBLE SINKS SURFERS

Kingscliff 2 (Morley 2)

Surfers Paradise 0

HT 1:0

DIVISION One pace-setters Kingscliff claimed another Premier League scalp in the Dog & Parrot FA Cup with a 2-0 win over struggling Surfers Paradise, thanks to a brace from former Brisbane Strikers forward Luke Morley.

With a 100% record in the league and a hatful of goals to their credit, Kingscliff are on course for a league and cup double and this result sends an ominous message to their semi-final opponents.

Morley, a Kingscliff junior in his younger days, capitalised on a combination of Luke Craig’s through ball and some sloppy Surfers defending midway through the first half to give Kingscliff the breakthrough.

The marksman completed his double soon after the interval despite Surfers beginning the half as the brighter side. A loss of possession in midfield led to the ball landing at Morley’s feet and he made no mistake with the finish.

Giant-killers Kingscliff finished the game with ten men after Mark Wright was sent off for a hefty challenge but the Craig Madden-coached side cruised to victory regardless.

Despite the win, Madden says his focus in on his side’s league form, with promotion the top priority.

“Our main aim is to focus on gaining promotion to the Buffalo Sports Premier League and we want to win every game. We’re still in this Dog & Parrot FA Cup though and we want to win that as well,” he said.

“I think we would be quite competitive in the Premier League; our players are up to it. It’s all going well for us at the moment,” he added.

The Kingscliff boss applauded the all-round team play that continually presented the lethal Morley with quality chances, saying it’s not all about the man who puts the ball in the net.

Madden said: “Luke might be putting the ball away but the set-up play has to come from somewhere. He has to get good service and the ball from Luke Craig for the first goal was a great pass. It’s a team effort but obviously having someone like Luke Morley is a bonus.”

Beleaguered Surfers Paradise coach Keith Garland couldn’t fault his side’s commitment but lamented the lack of firepower in his ranks as he looks for a way to turn their season around.

“The effort was there but I told the players that we have to start taking our chances. It was a good, hard game and I thought we were the better side for long periods, but again we couldn’t score. The difference was that their striker did just that when the opportunity came along.

“We’re disappointed about losing but we have to focus on improving our league position now and concentrate on picking up some points as we’ve got some hard games coming up,” Garland said.