North Queensland Fury v Melbourne Victory 22 - August - 2009

North Queensland Fury v Melbourne Victory 22 - August - 2009 www.a-league.com.au Victory open account Melbourne Victory has ground out a 1-0 win over a vastly-improved North Queensland Fury in Townsville on Saturday night. The Victory’s Archie Thompson slotted his first goal of the season in the final moments of the first half after a pin-point long ball from Adrian Leijer. The homeside’s Dyron Daal had a chance to level up the scores in the 89th minute when he was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper but was denied. It was a telling moment in the game as the Fury looked the better of the two for most of the night, creating multiple opportunities but it was the Victory who had the polish and pounced when given the chance. Robbie Middleby received a sickening accidental kick in the face from a team mate less than a minute later and was forced to miss the remainder of the game. North Queensland threw plenty of players forward early but could not capitalise on early opportunities. Shane Stefanutto pulled the trigger in the first minute from left of the goal box only to be denied by a diving save. The homeside wasted four corners with poor crosses and an inability to keep the ball in the box. Robber Fowler had a free kick from 18 yards in front after a handball by Leigh Broxham but could not turn it into points. Melbourne struggled to find momentum in the face of physical defence which allowed limited space and time in attack. Tommy Pondeljk slithered through the midfield with …

Gold Coast United v North Queensland Fury 15 - August - 2009

Gold Coast United v North Queensland Fury 15 - August - 2009 www.a-league.com.au Gold Coast thumps Fury Gold Coast United showed no mercy in the battle of the Hyundai A-League new-comers, dominating North Queensland Fury with a 5-0 victory at Skilled Park on Saturday night. United came into the match minus five starters from its Round 1 triumph but that mattered little to Shane Smeltz who grabbed four goals himself. After a rusty start Smeltz opened the scoring in the 29th minute, then poured on three goals in 10 minutes midway through the second half. By the 80th minute the home side was toying with its Queensland rival when Tahj Minniecon grabbed its fifth in a brilliant solo effort. The Qantas Young Socceroo burst into open spaces and then with a series of fakes left a defender and the goalie prone on the ground before placing the ball in the net. United coach Miron Bleiberg was modest in the aftermath, playing down the attacking prowess of his star striker. “You can talk about all the goals scored and no offence to ‘Smeltzy’ but I am more impressed with keeping a clean sheet,” Bleiberg said. Robbie Fowler was unsighted in his second match for the Fury with Qantas Socceroo Michael Thwaite denying him any sniff of an opportunity. Fury coach Ian Ferguson attempted to change his game-plan after half-time but to no avail. “They did a good job on Robbie, we tried to push a few boys forward but when he got the ball there was no support,” Ferguson said. With Adam Griffiths …

Adelaide United v North Queensland Fury 28 - August - 2009

Adelaide United v North Queensland Fury 28 - August - 2009 www.a-league.com.au Fury, Reds in goal feast North Queensland and Adelaide United have played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night. United was in the box seat to collect the three points when it led 2-1 midway through the second half but two goals in the space of four minutes saw the Fury take an unlikely lead. The 10773 crowd was stunned but were brought back to life when a hand ball call on Dyron Daal in the box during injury-time handed Adelaide a late reprieve. Lucas Pantelis took the penalty kick and coolly delivered the ball into the right hand corner of the net. Both teams will be disappointed not to come away with the win but North Queensland will feel the most aggrieved given its many missed opportunities. After the Reds generated a couple of early chances it was Robbie Fowler who scored the first goal five minutes into the contest. The Fury captain charged into the box, swooped on a beautiful James Robinson cross and kept the ball low to beat Eugene Galekovic through the pace of his strike rather than its direction. It took Adelaide some time to regroup but when it did it bounced back in impressive fashion. At the 23rd minute Pantelis controlled a cross from Michael Marrone with his left foot and then kicked with his right to pass goalkeeper Paul Henderson. The stand-in captain was delighted with his effort and his celebrations included a rock-a-bye-baby mime. His theatrics were …