RUSSELL HEADS BURLEIGH WINNER

Burleigh Heads 1 (W. Russell)

Coomera 0

HT 0:0

COOMERA gave league-leaders Burleigh Heads a fright-night at Pizzey Park but Wade Russell’s second half header was enough to secure the points for Col Phelan’s men.

With nearest rivals Gold Coast Knights and Musgrave having their clash postponed due to a waterlogged field, the result leaves Burleigh four points clear at the top of the Buffalo Sports Premier League.

Prior to the interval the game belonged to Coomera who were their usual competitive selves. Indeed, they should have taken the lead when Matt Chisholm was presented with a golden opportunity but could only crash his shot onto the crossbar.

Coomera were to rue their inability to capitalise on their first half showing with the second 45 minutes controlled by the home side in what was an entertaining encounter.

Burleigh coach Col Phelan made tactical changes at the break and his tweaking paid off as their increased use of the flanks began to cause Coomera problems.

Midway through half Russell buried the solitary goal when he cleverly headed home another pin-point cross from Burleigh midfield craftsman, Con Boutsianis.

“They were a bit too good for us in the second half but we had them under the cosh a little bit in the first,” said Coomera boss Steve Beever.

“They’re a good team and points are hard to win against them. We were pretty happy at half time because we’d matched them and kept them quiet.

“We left with our heads held high because we made it awkward for them and we could have come away with something against one of the best teams in the league. I say it all the time though; if you don’t score you can’t win games,” Beever lamented.

Coomera’s centre-back pairing of Lee Molyneux and Ben Waring made it tough for Burleigh and Phelan admitted afterwards that it was a great three points for his side who showed they have grit as well as guile.

“We knew it was going to be tough and so it proved,” Phelan said.

“They had a couple of chances and we didn’t create too many despite having a lot of the ball. To be honest I think it’s a really good win for us because they will be feeling a little unfortunate.

“Their defence is solid and well organised; they make it hard for you to break them down.”

The victory was Burleigh’s fourth consecutive win and confirms their status as Buffalo Sports Premier League favourites.