A FIRST half goal from Daniel Severino was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Gold Coast United against Queensland State League Premiers Sunshine Coast Fire at Stockland Park.
Sporting their new away strip for the first time, Gold Coast took just six minutes to net the winning goal after a bright opening to the match.
Dutch import Peter Jungschlager was the architect, the midfielder blasting a 25-metre drive that thundered back off the upright but landed at the feet of Daniel Severino who made no mistake from close range.
Despite a determined effort from the home side, United were in control of the encounter with the midfield trio of Junschlager, Severino and Robson pulling all the strings and Adama Traore a constant threat with his pacy overlapping runs down the left-hand side.
Traore was in the thick of the action at both ends on the half hour, thumping a decent effort just over the Sunshine Coast bar one minute, then making a goal-saving tackle the next as the Fire enjoyed their best spell of the match.
In the second period Gold Coast gave the crossbar a workout with Ben Halloran hitting the frame of the goal twice and Tahj Minniecon doing the same in the dying minutes as Gold Coast looked to press home their advantage.
Aman Hadid and Severino both went close to increasing the margin of victory, but despite creating a host of chances Miron Bleiberg-s men had to be content with a 1-0 win.
“We were a little flat, but the players had a long day as they were up very early this morning. We looked good in the first 30 minutes or so, then I think a bit of tiredness took over in the second half,” said Miron Bleiberg after the match.
“It was a very worthwhile exercise for us and a good game to have at this stage of our preparations. We hit the woodwork a few times and maybe if we had converted those chances the scoreline would have a more realistic look about it.
“We still have plenty of work to do before the season kicks off and each time we play the squad gets a better idea of where we are and what has to be done to get us ready for Hyundai A-League football.
“Some of our football was very nice with first-time passing and neat combinations, so once we sharpen up on a few things and get our system working like an oily machine, we will be fine,” he added.
On Tuesday night a makeshift United side made up of Youth Team players and trialists drew 3-3 with Palm Beach Sharks at Mallawa Drive. Palm Beach striker Chris Lucas, who has been trialling with United, scored twice for his club and underlined why Youth Team Head Coach Mike Mulvey has been keeping tabs on the promising youngster.
United-s next pre-season hit-out is the two-game series against the New Caledonian national team with both matches to be held at Merrimac Soccer Club on Wednesday 17 August and Saturday 20 August. The games kick off at 7.00pm.
