Cougars edge past Bundaberg

Cougars’ Dave Thomas, left.

DERRICK DEN HOLLANDER

THE Webbers Retravision Cougars managed to keep a clean sheet in a lacklustre trial match at Wolves FC in Gladstone on Saturday when they beat Bundaberg Spirit 2-0.

Jesse Thompson helped the CQ team get ahead early when he slotted a shot less than 10 minutes after the start.

Cougars spent the majority of the game in Bundaberg’s half but it was Spirit who looked dangerous when attacking the goal.

Cougars lacked attacking flair and did not look like they would score until a controversial tackle on Fergus McIntosh inside the 18-yard box.

The winger was left thinking the ref would point to the spot.

However, the official awarded the penalty against Fergus after he handled the ball when he fell on it.

Cougars lifted intensity slightly for most of the second half but still failed to reach the back of the net until the final minutes.

The referee had no quarrels pointing to the spot when McIntosh went down inside the 18-yard for a second time.

Thompson finished off the penalty – and the scoring – when he fired the shot past Bundaberg’s keeper.

Cougars’ coach Brad Smith said his team had a lot to discuss.

“Our play was a bit disappointing. We were slow and a bit lethargic at times,” the coach said.

Smith attributed a lack of ball speed and urgency for the sluggish play.

“Had we picked that up it could well have been a different game,” he said.

“We have been working on those so now we have to go discuss why we didn’t do what we’ve worked on. “We’ll learn from this but it’s more of a reality check than anything else.”

The game wasn’t all disappointment for the coach though.

“We’re happy to get the win but I think we’re happier with the clean sheet,” he said.

With the match being the final trial game for the Cougars there was an opportunity for players to put their hands up.

Michael Cay was given the job of playing centre back with Dai Thomas and satisfied Smith with what he achieved, although the coach admitted Cay had not been fully tested.

Late in the match Thomas was given a rest.

Cay then teamed with Ben Radstaak, who had not started because he missed training through illness, and again looked comfortable.

Striker Jamie Morris had ruled himself out after testing an injury and Thompson replaced him. The two goals he scored were a testimony to his effectiveness.

Bryce Ruthven celebrated his 21st birthday with his best display on the right side of midfield when called into the action late in the game.

Eduardo and Martyn Davis also did their selection chances no harm when they paired up in the middle of the park during the second half.

For Smith the performance by right back Rob Lupton and goalkeeper Tim English were the closest to being “man of the match” category.

“No one was poor but also nobody was great,” Smith said.

Last week Cougars drew three-all in a pre-season trail game with benchmark team Brisbane Strikers.

They face the Strikers again on March 27 for the first round of the 2010 Queensland State League.

COUGARS v SPIRIT

Cougars 2 (goals by Jesse Thompson (2)

Bundaberg Spirit 0