Phoenix vs Burleigh Heads

Phoenix vs Burleigh Heads

Well a pretty emphatic win to the Nix 13-1, goals to Smeltz 6, Daniel 2, Coveny 2, Bertos, Durante and Gao. Will do a report tomorrow night but really they were worse than Wests and the Nix had too much pace and off the ball movement and moved the ball at pace. Good pitch, light rain before hand, great conditions for footy. 6-0 at halftime and Burleigh stopped posting the score after 9, not much point really.

I thought they'd just changed the venue, not the oppposition as well (must read more carefully)

But they let 1 in!  No Movieworld trip for them today then.

Off to the Beenleigh Skate Park instead I reckon

Not exactly a good hit out then. I'd say this trips more about bonding than anything else though.

Hahah!

Just as well The Goldie doesn't have a Viaduct though... Only Cavill Ave 

Here is a great way to advertise their area. From http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com

Named after Jim Cavill, the original hotellier who effectively gave birth to Surfers Paradise tourism, Cavill Avenue, and Cavill Mall are the focal point of the Gold Coast. Lined with shops, nightclubs, bars, and fast food outlets, the street isn't particularly attractive (as far as streets go), but there's lots of surf art and regular live music performances. The arcades and streets nearby are the real heart of Surfers Paradise, with fantastic (cheap) Asian food, surfboard shops, tattoo parlours, T-Shirt emporiums and nightclub doors.

Starting Line up:
          -Moss-
-Lia-Durante-Mckain-Lochead-
          -Dodd-
-Bertos-Ferrante-Gao-
      -Daniel-Smeltz-

We ran 10 minutes late becuase it was a prick of a place to find and as we got to the side line, they just scored a third. Really, the Nix dominated through pace, off the ball running and ball speed and Burleigh were left chasing shadows. It got a bit tinteresting at about the 30 mintue mark when Burleigh put in three really heavy tackles the last on Gao which got the offender a yellow card but from then on, Gao who was obviously hurt was doing a fear bit of whingeing and not alot of running and it got rather scrappy until half-time but what was noticable was the 'encouragment' he got from Ferrante and others! He was reaplced at half time by Covney and they just carried on although it was a toal miss match and the good ground conditions contributed to the goal feast with some really excellent finishing and an excellent goal from Leo Bertos putting the ball across the face of the goal, and bending it into the right hand corner. The only credit for Burleigh was there two goal keepers one who was reaplced after a clash with Draper. All subs used and the next highlight was Dodd who dealt to Gao's chopper and he had to leave the field and Dodd got a yellow for that. the next bit of humour was when both centre backs (durante and Mckain) were reaplaced and when Sullivan came on, changing the formation to three at the back, Dodd being one of them he whinged, whined and complained so much, he got told to shut up by several of his teamates and this continued for about two minutes. They really meant business and was evident by the competitivness shown when decisions went against them (particually some dodgy offsides). All in all, even with the poor oposition, it was still a very good effort to get 13 and in particular, Smeltz who just never game the back four a rest. Burleigh's goal came from a good shot that Moss started to go for, but completely miss judged it with a good 'leave' and it bent right into the top right corner. The Phoenix really did play like a team last night although in times it did seem to get a bit scrappy, due to out-classed oppostion. In speaking to one of the Phoenix players, he did comment on their fitness training which was like nothing he'd ever experienced (Bloody tough) and this really showed over both games because the pace it's played at just doesnt stop. Looking foward to Coloundra for pre-season cup. Cheers from the Gold Coast.
(not worried about a second-half line up because it changed so rapidly wihtout effecting things to much)

6 for Smeltz? Cool, that'll put him in a goal hungry mood for when the real games kick off!

great news about the fitness Nixinoz tigers2008-06-19 20:16:46

Awesome match reports Nixinoz, greatly appreciated to hear how the pre-season trip has gone for the Nix.

Seems like that's the lineup that Ricky is going for, which makes me happy because it's the one I've been hoping he would employ! Question marks obviously are over Lia at RB and the lack of cover for Smeltz, but we know all about both of these issues.

If Smeltz does say fit and on form and Lia does manage to successfully convert to RB that starting lineup could give us a great shot at the top4. I especially like the thought of young, fast players like Hearfield and Costa coming off the bench when we need goals, or old heads like Johnson and Coveny if we need to shut up shop being available as well. We have depth in most positions now and I just can't help but get excited. That front 4 (with Ferrante pulling the strings behind and Dodd in there to provide muscle) should tear defenses apart without any problem. You do not need 2 forwards any more in modern football, I get the feeling Ricki has been paying close attention to things in the EPL this season...
KTBW2008-06-19 21:59:24

couldn't agree more. That's definintly what appeared to be taking place

I'm bloody excited about this new season! 2 more months :(

one more month if you include pre-season cup. really looking forward to it, top-4 finish this year

You know my opinions on Dodd, but having said them, I'll be interested in seeing how he goes as a DM. It might just be the spot for him and give him a more free role to explore, not just stopping opposition attacks. An interesting move and one I hope bears fruition.

true, looks likehe's still figuring out the linup, i for one hope he goes for something like a 4-3-3 providing we dont sign a starting striker, sorta something like this

----------------------Moss----------------
-Lia--------Durante-------Mckain---------Lochhead
----------------------Dodd----------------
-----------Ferrante---------Daniel-----------
-------Bertos---------Smeltz----------Gao

with smeltz slightly infront of goa and bertos, but essentially 3 up front on attack while on def they'd have to b back bit and mark, dodd infront of the CBs to win ball, and ferrante and daniel distribution

I think he's going for a 4-5-1 (OR 4-2-3-1) FORMATION: